LA PREMIERE
15/09/17
THE LEGO NINJAGO NEW
website
review : Luke Tipping
Based off the popular Ninjago franchise Lego created in 2011, The Lego Ninjago Movie is the third instalment of the Lego Movie franchise, preceded by The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman Movie. The film features acting and voice acting by action film great: Jackie Chan, it also features the voices of Dave Franco and Justin Theroux.
The movie follows Lloyd, the Green Ninja, and his high school friends/ ninja team defend Ninjago from Lloyd’s father, Garmadon. The film seems to begin with a pre-established storyline with minimal intro for each character. It's unclear as to whether this is to make it easy to digest for kids, a lead in for a prequel or a general oversight is quite unknown. The heroes seem to cause just as much calamity as Garmadon from destroying a whole city block to unleashing an unstoppable terror on Ninjago and saving the day is just fixing what they've caused.
The film is full of action and jokes, sadly it's missing those sly jokes for the adults that'll give the accompanying parent a giggle. A great film for the kids, not just for the entertainment but to inspire their future lego building ideas.
website
review : Luke Tipping
Based off the popular Ninjago franchise Lego created in 2011, The Lego Ninjago Movie is the third instalment of the Lego Movie franchise, preceded by The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman Movie. The film features acting and voice acting by action film great: Jackie Chan, it also features the voices of Dave Franco and Justin Theroux.
The movie follows Lloyd, the Green Ninja, and his high school friends/ ninja team defend Ninjago from Lloyd’s father, Garmadon. The film seems to begin with a pre-established storyline with minimal intro for each character. It's unclear as to whether this is to make it easy to digest for kids, a lead in for a prequel or a general oversight is quite unknown. The heroes seem to cause just as much calamity as Garmadon from destroying a whole city block to unleashing an unstoppable terror on Ninjago and saving the day is just fixing what they've caused.
The film is full of action and jokes, sadly it's missing those sly jokes for the adults that'll give the accompanying parent a giggle. A great film for the kids, not just for the entertainment but to inspire their future lego building ideas.
WHAT IF IT WORKS NEW
website
RATE: 9/10
review by Carolyn Newall
What If It Works.
Written and directed by Romi Tower.
Australian filmmakers have a long tradition of handling mental illness sensitively. The first I can recall was the film Tim in 1979 which was based on a Colleen McCullough novel and starred the very young Mel Gibson, then there was Malcolm in 1986 starring Colin Friels. However, for breadth and depth What If It Works, due to hit cinemas on October 12th, is the best by a country mile. There are sound reasons for this which I will get into later.
It is important to note that this is absolutely a love story. The comedy, of which there is a great deal, comes from the protagonists themselves. That is to say, you are never invited to laugh at them, only with them.
The lead actors, Anna Samson (Grace) and Luke Ford (Adrian), deliver incredibly understated, piercingly realistic representations of the characters they play. This is a lot of work for Samson as Grace is only one of her personalities. Grace suffers from dissociative identity disorder (DID) and we are told has 10 people who live inside her. We don’t meet them all, but the main two we do meet demand that Samson stretch both her talent and her timing. The segways from one character to another are ultimately believable. ‘G’ is the character causing artist Grace the most grief. G is sexually confrontational and artistically productive while Grace is having trouble painting. What is worse, she is actually aware of everything that G says and does. This is not the usual understanding of DID. Much of the tension in the film comes at those moments when Grace is apologising to Adrian for G’s bad behaviour. Will he be able to get past his own limitations and manage these situations?
Much of the value of the film is in exactly this. The audience get to see just how hard it is for people with these conditions to navigate everyday situations and relationships that most of us take for granted. And it is not hard because they are in any way less smart than the rest of us. On the contrary, Adrian may be massively OCD, but it certainly has not affected either his intellect or his sense of humour. We discover he is a postdoctoral student with a keen understanding of his condition and how it impacts on those around him. Rather than being depressed by this he presents a contagious positivity which denies the possibility of stigma. Only in the very first minutes of the film are we faced with a societal difficulty in managing his disorder as we see him attempt a compulsory residential therapy program. He doesn’t last and there is no indication in the writing that this is a bad thing.
Holding Adrian and Grace together and providing a nexus for the story is their psychiatrist Dr. Karren Di Scala (Kaarin Fairfax). Apart from their first meeting in her room we are not encouraged to believe that Dr Di Scala is cognisant of the growing relationship between her patients. None of the drama is related to that story arc, it is just there as something normal and routine.
That this is the work of a first time director, Romi Trower, is surprising but not unprecedented. Think Nadia Tass and previously mentioned Malcolm. We have been told that Trower has knowledge of both these conditions through family, but that would not be enough in itself to maintain the critical balance of comedy and pathos that is achieved in What If It Works. The script is understated, funny, clever and rarely cliched and the directing is the same. Trower deserves every one of the many awards and accolades the film has already collected and I really hope it gets the box-office returns it deserves. As a Melbourne native there was the temptation to try and identify the many laneways and other recognizable locations. It was nice to see the familiar trams and landmarks and I guess that is how New Yorkers and San Franciscans feel when they see their city on the big screen. It is kinda cool.
My favourite quote came from Adrian on finding out about Grace’s DID: ‘If a guy didn’t have any friends it would make a great package deal.’ This is a small film with a huge heart and I encourage you to go and see it. You will feel much better about life.
9/10 from me.
Carolyn Newall
website
RATE: 9/10
review by Carolyn Newall
What If It Works.
Written and directed by Romi Tower.
Australian filmmakers have a long tradition of handling mental illness sensitively. The first I can recall was the film Tim in 1979 which was based on a Colleen McCullough novel and starred the very young Mel Gibson, then there was Malcolm in 1986 starring Colin Friels. However, for breadth and depth What If It Works, due to hit cinemas on October 12th, is the best by a country mile. There are sound reasons for this which I will get into later.
It is important to note that this is absolutely a love story. The comedy, of which there is a great deal, comes from the protagonists themselves. That is to say, you are never invited to laugh at them, only with them.
The lead actors, Anna Samson (Grace) and Luke Ford (Adrian), deliver incredibly understated, piercingly realistic representations of the characters they play. This is a lot of work for Samson as Grace is only one of her personalities. Grace suffers from dissociative identity disorder (DID) and we are told has 10 people who live inside her. We don’t meet them all, but the main two we do meet demand that Samson stretch both her talent and her timing. The segways from one character to another are ultimately believable. ‘G’ is the character causing artist Grace the most grief. G is sexually confrontational and artistically productive while Grace is having trouble painting. What is worse, she is actually aware of everything that G says and does. This is not the usual understanding of DID. Much of the tension in the film comes at those moments when Grace is apologising to Adrian for G’s bad behaviour. Will he be able to get past his own limitations and manage these situations?
Much of the value of the film is in exactly this. The audience get to see just how hard it is for people with these conditions to navigate everyday situations and relationships that most of us take for granted. And it is not hard because they are in any way less smart than the rest of us. On the contrary, Adrian may be massively OCD, but it certainly has not affected either his intellect or his sense of humour. We discover he is a postdoctoral student with a keen understanding of his condition and how it impacts on those around him. Rather than being depressed by this he presents a contagious positivity which denies the possibility of stigma. Only in the very first minutes of the film are we faced with a societal difficulty in managing his disorder as we see him attempt a compulsory residential therapy program. He doesn’t last and there is no indication in the writing that this is a bad thing.
Holding Adrian and Grace together and providing a nexus for the story is their psychiatrist Dr. Karren Di Scala (Kaarin Fairfax). Apart from their first meeting in her room we are not encouraged to believe that Dr Di Scala is cognisant of the growing relationship between her patients. None of the drama is related to that story arc, it is just there as something normal and routine.
That this is the work of a first time director, Romi Trower, is surprising but not unprecedented. Think Nadia Tass and previously mentioned Malcolm. We have been told that Trower has knowledge of both these conditions through family, but that would not be enough in itself to maintain the critical balance of comedy and pathos that is achieved in What If It Works. The script is understated, funny, clever and rarely cliched and the directing is the same. Trower deserves every one of the many awards and accolades the film has already collected and I really hope it gets the box-office returns it deserves. As a Melbourne native there was the temptation to try and identify the many laneways and other recognizable locations. It was nice to see the familiar trams and landmarks and I guess that is how New Yorkers and San Franciscans feel when they see their city on the big screen. It is kinda cool.
My favourite quote came from Adrian on finding out about Grace’s DID: ‘If a guy didn’t have any friends it would make a great package deal.’ This is a small film with a huge heart and I encourage you to go and see it. You will feel much better about life.
9/10 from me.
Carolyn Newall
THE ORNITHOLOGIST NEW
website
RATE: 7/10
What was it? - was the first question I asked myself walking out of this movie. What was it people?
Was it that good or was it that bad?
I am still questioning myself...
The man travels the wilderness of the Portuguese forest not far from the camino de santiago route observing and photographing birds, when suddenly his life is taken on a sexual adventurous journey inside that same forest. The film has a strong religious influence and is full of Christian symbolism. It will be something that you have never seen before on screen: roping, urinating on person for sexual pleasure, bestiary, blood eating for sexual pleasure, homosexualism, naked man on the sandy river beach making love, total madness with observing the corpse from the perspective I do not want to mention here about, mystery and spirituality, absolutely lunatic behavior of the characters and much more.
If you like these sort of films just out of curiosity - please watch it, I do not understand many parts of the film as does the person who created it (I hope). If he does understand it I am not watching the movies anymore . What I loved - swimming in the river naked, nature photography, landscapes that were so breathtaking they still stay in my mind - these I loved, sexuality - I loved, but not the insane and religious parts of the movie.
website
RATE: 7/10
What was it? - was the first question I asked myself walking out of this movie. What was it people?
Was it that good or was it that bad?
I am still questioning myself...
The man travels the wilderness of the Portuguese forest not far from the camino de santiago route observing and photographing birds, when suddenly his life is taken on a sexual adventurous journey inside that same forest. The film has a strong religious influence and is full of Christian symbolism. It will be something that you have never seen before on screen: roping, urinating on person for sexual pleasure, bestiary, blood eating for sexual pleasure, homosexualism, naked man on the sandy river beach making love, total madness with observing the corpse from the perspective I do not want to mention here about, mystery and spirituality, absolutely lunatic behavior of the characters and much more.
If you like these sort of films just out of curiosity - please watch it, I do not understand many parts of the film as does the person who created it (I hope). If he does understand it I am not watching the movies anymore . What I loved - swimming in the river naked, nature photography, landscapes that were so breathtaking they still stay in my mind - these I loved, sexuality - I loved, but not the insane and religious parts of the movie.
BRIGSBY BEAR NEW
website
RATE: 7/10
To be honest I was confused by this film to the maximum you can confuse the person who watched more than 5000 films and reviewed half of them. It is so unusual to anything you saw before you will re-consider what cinematography is by the core definition of it. It is an art house film and not many people will love it I trust.
The film is about being kind, loving and giving and continue working on something even if you do not have an approval from anyone around, just continue doing something that you love and enjoy doing the most in life. Th film is a comedy though and should be taken lightly and heavily at the same time. It just should be taken.
The main character James loves the children series about Brigsby Bear. It is his life, it is his imaginary life that replaced the reality forever. James has a dream.
You will laugh, no matter how awkward the events will take place in the movie. You will laugh and watch it and have fun.
website
RATE: 7/10
To be honest I was confused by this film to the maximum you can confuse the person who watched more than 5000 films and reviewed half of them. It is so unusual to anything you saw before you will re-consider what cinematography is by the core definition of it. It is an art house film and not many people will love it I trust.
The film is about being kind, loving and giving and continue working on something even if you do not have an approval from anyone around, just continue doing something that you love and enjoy doing the most in life. Th film is a comedy though and should be taken lightly and heavily at the same time. It just should be taken.
The main character James loves the children series about Brigsby Bear. It is his life, it is his imaginary life that replaced the reality forever. James has a dream.
You will laugh, no matter how awkward the events will take place in the movie. You will laugh and watch it and have fun.
HOME AGAIN NEW
website
RATE: 6/10
No matter how I always enjoy the performance of Reese Witherspoon this film did not do it for me at all. It is bad, it is boring and it s bad. I can only see one reason why the girls (young teenagers ) would attend the film: there is a one hot spunk , Pico Alexander who plays a potential lover for the main female character and she is indecisive whether to take him or not. I bet all the girls will be screaming i the theater: "what are you? why don't you do it already with him? where is your brain. the guy is handsome and he wants you...take him!"
The film is way too sweet, fluffy, naive and to be honest only now, when I started writing a review I am trying to remember what was it about: the movie IS forgettable.
My recommendation: please give it a miss this time but if you are on holiday with the teenage daughters and they beg you to see the film, better take them to the good one: the kids should develop the good, fine and elegant taste in movies since they are young.
website
RATE: 6/10
No matter how I always enjoy the performance of Reese Witherspoon this film did not do it for me at all. It is bad, it is boring and it s bad. I can only see one reason why the girls (young teenagers ) would attend the film: there is a one hot spunk , Pico Alexander who plays a potential lover for the main female character and she is indecisive whether to take him or not. I bet all the girls will be screaming i the theater: "what are you? why don't you do it already with him? where is your brain. the guy is handsome and he wants you...take him!"
The film is way too sweet, fluffy, naive and to be honest only now, when I started writing a review I am trying to remember what was it about: the movie IS forgettable.
My recommendation: please give it a miss this time but if you are on holiday with the teenage daughters and they beg you to see the film, better take them to the good one: the kids should develop the good, fine and elegant taste in movies since they are young.
THE MIDWIFE NEW
website
RATE: 8/10
This movie can be loved for one and only only reason: there are gorgeous Catherine Frot and Catherine Deneuve and you will have troubles to identify who acts better. But there are much more other reasons to love this film: it shows unconditional love and forgiveness, it has best soundtrack, it is light and dramatic at the same time, people make love, people die people dance and sing in it, it is so exquisite not only performance-wise , it is exquisite because it is made with care and attention to detail, it is French movie in its best. Not top class but good class I should add. I was always surprised how the French acting school achieves great presence with minimal effort : minimal mimics, minimal body language. It is still powerful enough to enjoy. The chemistry between actors is incredible. they are amazing when play together as well as they are astonishing when they act separately.
It is the movie to be on your "wish to watch list"
website
RATE: 8/10
This movie can be loved for one and only only reason: there are gorgeous Catherine Frot and Catherine Deneuve and you will have troubles to identify who acts better. But there are much more other reasons to love this film: it shows unconditional love and forgiveness, it has best soundtrack, it is light and dramatic at the same time, people make love, people die people dance and sing in it, it is so exquisite not only performance-wise , it is exquisite because it is made with care and attention to detail, it is French movie in its best. Not top class but good class I should add. I was always surprised how the French acting school achieves great presence with minimal effort : minimal mimics, minimal body language. It is still powerful enough to enjoy. The chemistry between actors is incredible. they are amazing when play together as well as they are astonishing when they act separately.
It is the movie to be on your "wish to watch list"
GOOD TIME NEW
website
RATE: 8.5/10
This film is so intense it will keep you breathless at some parts and you will keep saying: "man, why do you keep doing such wrong things all the time? is not it the time to change now?"
the movie is so neon it feels like being inside the neon tube itself. It never stops, like the process of criminal thinking never stops as he does not know any other way, only the iron bars will stop it. He is like a mouse - always trapped in his own criminal thought forms, his own maniacal behavior, in his own inability to balance himself. You can almost feel his next step and it will be even more daring and unpredictable than you thought. He is a a never stopping crime machine.
The film is so electrical and at the same tie it feels so real and so full of adrenaline and drugged blood inside the main character's veins. We can hardly understand why he does certain things but we are also fascinated by his criminal creativity if that can be called that way. He is inventive to the point of ultimate crime orgasm. We follow him and he disgusts us and he attracts us at the same time. Ugliness attracts the same way the beauty attracts.
The plot is simple: two brothers rob the bank, run away from the police, and one of them ends up in the hospital. It gets worse and worse after that.
It is also hysterical t observe how people take care of others and at the same time they are not able to take care of themselves. It is always easy I guess to advice the others rather that work and do something himself. His behaviour is insane and unsavory.
It will be a very interesting experience for everyone to watch.
website
RATE: 8.5/10
This film is so intense it will keep you breathless at some parts and you will keep saying: "man, why do you keep doing such wrong things all the time? is not it the time to change now?"
the movie is so neon it feels like being inside the neon tube itself. It never stops, like the process of criminal thinking never stops as he does not know any other way, only the iron bars will stop it. He is like a mouse - always trapped in his own criminal thought forms, his own maniacal behavior, in his own inability to balance himself. You can almost feel his next step and it will be even more daring and unpredictable than you thought. He is a a never stopping crime machine.
The film is so electrical and at the same tie it feels so real and so full of adrenaline and drugged blood inside the main character's veins. We can hardly understand why he does certain things but we are also fascinated by his criminal creativity if that can be called that way. He is inventive to the point of ultimate crime orgasm. We follow him and he disgusts us and he attracts us at the same time. Ugliness attracts the same way the beauty attracts.
The plot is simple: two brothers rob the bank, run away from the police, and one of them ends up in the hospital. It gets worse and worse after that.
It is also hysterical t observe how people take care of others and at the same time they are not able to take care of themselves. It is always easy I guess to advice the others rather that work and do something himself. His behaviour is insane and unsavory.
It will be a very interesting experience for everyone to watch.
TOM OF FINLAND NEW
website
RATE: 10/10
I absolutely loved this film. It is a biography film about famous Tom Of Finland the artist who created a homoerotic pictures. The art was not well treated in Finland but was received with a lot of excitement overseas, in USA. The art inspired textile prints and even was printed on postal stamps. The artist real name was Touko Laaksonen. He had to change his name tgn his art works under because he was chased by the secret police services in Finland.
It is a very empowering life journey as well as very sensitive and touching. I can see some people will be rejecting even a subject of the film - cheap almost porno graphical art but the quality of the artist's work tells you all about the talent, creativity and imagination of the author. I can also see the film to be loved and supported by the gay community and they would be absolutely right - the film will be well received as it is very well made. It shows not only the artistic side of Tom's personality but him as part of gay community and his own feelings and ups and downs.
It is a wonderful movie about the gay artist who stood by his own identity and his unique art and he never betrayed himself.
website
RATE: 10/10
I absolutely loved this film. It is a biography film about famous Tom Of Finland the artist who created a homoerotic pictures. The art was not well treated in Finland but was received with a lot of excitement overseas, in USA. The art inspired textile prints and even was printed on postal stamps. The artist real name was Touko Laaksonen. He had to change his name tgn his art works under because he was chased by the secret police services in Finland.
It is a very empowering life journey as well as very sensitive and touching. I can see some people will be rejecting even a subject of the film - cheap almost porno graphical art but the quality of the artist's work tells you all about the talent, creativity and imagination of the author. I can also see the film to be loved and supported by the gay community and they would be absolutely right - the film will be well received as it is very well made. It shows not only the artistic side of Tom's personality but him as part of gay community and his own feelings and ups and downs.
It is a wonderful movie about the gay artist who stood by his own identity and his unique art and he never betrayed himself.
HAPPY DEATH DAY NEW
website
review by Dianna Lescheva
The performance provided by Jessica Rothe displays the character of a typical teenager thrown into a thrilling murder story. The cunning combination of a fraternity party lifestyle on top of a horrific murderous scene exceeds your expectations and is sure to pull the rug out from under you no matter how secured you think it may be. 4/5
website
review by Dianna Lescheva
The performance provided by Jessica Rothe displays the character of a typical teenager thrown into a thrilling murder story. The cunning combination of a fraternity party lifestyle on top of a horrific murderous scene exceeds your expectations and is sure to pull the rug out from under you no matter how secured you think it may be. 4/5
INGRID GOES WEST NEW
website
RATE: 7/10
This drama-comedy is as funny as it is dramatic and even tragic. Ingrid is unbalanced in her internet obsession which is so recognisable in our nowadays life. People simply can not sit around the table for dinner without one of them not touching the mobile phone to check the messages or answer something so less important than the people around. But this is not the point. Ingrid is lonely , she finds herself a "girlfriend" via social sites and takes the fake "likes" and fake digital "comments" for reality. Everything leads her to a pretty bad ending and we are not surprised when it takes place. Ingrid understands that she can not be accepted as a real friend but does everything to make it come true. Liking someone's posts does not mean anything. The real friends are the ones who care, meet physically and love you unconditionally and not because you are cool or not cool. I am sure you will laugh a lot too as some of the episodes are simply hilarious. It will also make you think how you personally use the social media. Are you obsessed ? Do you watch every single move of your friends? Or do you walk with them watching the tide of the ocean and the stars above (without touching your phone camera for the whole day)?
You will find this movie to be pretty easy to watch but disturbing at the same time. This might be either way the common story that can happen with everyone , even with you and a very unique story. The major actress is show stealer and she delivers to her best abilities and we hate her as we are supposed to hate - simply brilliant!
website
RATE: 7/10
This drama-comedy is as funny as it is dramatic and even tragic. Ingrid is unbalanced in her internet obsession which is so recognisable in our nowadays life. People simply can not sit around the table for dinner without one of them not touching the mobile phone to check the messages or answer something so less important than the people around. But this is not the point. Ingrid is lonely , she finds herself a "girlfriend" via social sites and takes the fake "likes" and fake digital "comments" for reality. Everything leads her to a pretty bad ending and we are not surprised when it takes place. Ingrid understands that she can not be accepted as a real friend but does everything to make it come true. Liking someone's posts does not mean anything. The real friends are the ones who care, meet physically and love you unconditionally and not because you are cool or not cool. I am sure you will laugh a lot too as some of the episodes are simply hilarious. It will also make you think how you personally use the social media. Are you obsessed ? Do you watch every single move of your friends? Or do you walk with them watching the tide of the ocean and the stars above (without touching your phone camera for the whole day)?
You will find this movie to be pretty easy to watch but disturbing at the same time. This might be either way the common story that can happen with everyone , even with you and a very unique story. The major actress is show stealer and she delivers to her best abilities and we hate her as we are supposed to hate - simply brilliant!
THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK NEW
website
RATE: 9/10
It is all about the young man discovering love ,sexuality and women. It is all about understanding how the relationship work. It is also the roller-coaster of all sort of emotions love, jealousy, devotion and lust. It is the time when a boy becomes a real man and is a major part of him discovering himself and the workaround him. Thomas is the main character of the story. He is starting his writer's carrier and he is damn good in it. His family is dysfunctional: his mother is on the edge of breaking down and his dad is having an extra curriculum activities with his gorgeous mistress. It is a highly satisfying and amazing work on so many level - the actors' performance is immaculate to the extend of being a reality show: the emotions are raw and wild, the characters are believable and so truly well developed. The soundtrack is to die for and so well it is blended int the pace of the pictures like an additional dimension to the whole film making it so more sensual ans so surrealistic at the same time. It is not your ordinary casual film indeed. It has gt so much to think about even after its final titles are coming up the screen. It is romantic, deep and so full of very interesting dialogues that make the film so rich and so multi-leveled.
A real masterpiece!
website
RATE: 9/10
It is all about the young man discovering love ,sexuality and women. It is all about understanding how the relationship work. It is also the roller-coaster of all sort of emotions love, jealousy, devotion and lust. It is the time when a boy becomes a real man and is a major part of him discovering himself and the workaround him. Thomas is the main character of the story. He is starting his writer's carrier and he is damn good in it. His family is dysfunctional: his mother is on the edge of breaking down and his dad is having an extra curriculum activities with his gorgeous mistress. It is a highly satisfying and amazing work on so many level - the actors' performance is immaculate to the extend of being a reality show: the emotions are raw and wild, the characters are believable and so truly well developed. The soundtrack is to die for and so well it is blended int the pace of the pictures like an additional dimension to the whole film making it so more sensual ans so surrealistic at the same time. It is not your ordinary casual film indeed. It has gt so much to think about even after its final titles are coming up the screen. It is romantic, deep and so full of very interesting dialogues that make the film so rich and so multi-leveled.
A real masterpiece!
HEAL THE LIVING NEW
website
review by Irina Ivanova
Heal the Living is a French drama by Katell Quillévéré depicting the extremely emotional situation of the organ transplantation. The plot is made up of a cleverly balanced juxtaposition of heart-wrenching and serene episodes, keeping the viewers tense, but not too desperate.
A 17-year-old boy Simon suffers severe head haemorrhages in a car crash and becomes brain-dead. Although his body presents as living, supported with all the possible machinery, his life is actually finished. The only reason he is staying on life support is the possibility to become an organ donor, which is a tough call for his parents to decide on. The devastated family is brought back together, and the estranged Simon’s father supports his wife under the pressure of giving in the hands of progressive medicine.
The other storyline shows a middle-aged woman Claire, not too old, but barely moving and breathing heavily. She has a degenerative heart disease and her health worsens rapidly. Her doctor tries to convince her to accept the heart transplant, but for Claire this risky procedure is more horrifying than the death itself. Her two college-age sons are also extremely worried for their beloved mother.
The film features the beautiful performances of Tahar Rahim (transplant consultant), Anne Dorval (Claire) and Emmanuelle Seigner (Simon’s mother Marianne). Their raw emotions are captured with masterful attention of the camera. All that is unsaid is written on their faces. The incredibly touching piano music, by composer Alexandre Desplat, significantly strengthens the effect of the plot, and presses the right keys at all the right moments.
In order to relieve the stress of the hospital drama, the story moves from the tragic events of the present to the flashes from the past. The charming youth of the romance between Simon and his girlfriend Juliette is heart-melting. However, the more horrifying is the loss of the loved one. The crying Juliette of the present and the smiling Simon of the past are bidding adieu forever.
Quillévéré has lovingly added few little details about her characters, such as the transplant specialist’s affection to goldfinches’ singing and surgeon’s wish to be as ‘cool’ as his young students. Altogether the personal stories, however small and seemingly meaningless they are shown in the movie, create the atmosphere of reality and remind the viewers of the gravity of life.
website
review by Irina Ivanova
Heal the Living is a French drama by Katell Quillévéré depicting the extremely emotional situation of the organ transplantation. The plot is made up of a cleverly balanced juxtaposition of heart-wrenching and serene episodes, keeping the viewers tense, but not too desperate.
A 17-year-old boy Simon suffers severe head haemorrhages in a car crash and becomes brain-dead. Although his body presents as living, supported with all the possible machinery, his life is actually finished. The only reason he is staying on life support is the possibility to become an organ donor, which is a tough call for his parents to decide on. The devastated family is brought back together, and the estranged Simon’s father supports his wife under the pressure of giving in the hands of progressive medicine.
The other storyline shows a middle-aged woman Claire, not too old, but barely moving and breathing heavily. She has a degenerative heart disease and her health worsens rapidly. Her doctor tries to convince her to accept the heart transplant, but for Claire this risky procedure is more horrifying than the death itself. Her two college-age sons are also extremely worried for their beloved mother.
The film features the beautiful performances of Tahar Rahim (transplant consultant), Anne Dorval (Claire) and Emmanuelle Seigner (Simon’s mother Marianne). Their raw emotions are captured with masterful attention of the camera. All that is unsaid is written on their faces. The incredibly touching piano music, by composer Alexandre Desplat, significantly strengthens the effect of the plot, and presses the right keys at all the right moments.
In order to relieve the stress of the hospital drama, the story moves from the tragic events of the present to the flashes from the past. The charming youth of the romance between Simon and his girlfriend Juliette is heart-melting. However, the more horrifying is the loss of the loved one. The crying Juliette of the present and the smiling Simon of the past are bidding adieu forever.
Quillévéré has lovingly added few little details about her characters, such as the transplant specialist’s affection to goldfinches’ singing and surgeon’s wish to be as ‘cool’ as his young students. Altogether the personal stories, however small and seemingly meaningless they are shown in the movie, create the atmosphere of reality and remind the viewers of the gravity of life.
AMERICAN ASSASSIN NEW
website
review by Benjamin Newall
American Assassin Review
By Benjamin Newall
Forget James Bond, George Smiley, Jason Bourne and Xander Cage, the names that come to mind when we think of cinematic representations of the macho, male spy. But in the latest offering by Lionsgate and CBS, American Assassin, we have a very different kind of character. Mitch Rapp, (Maze Runner’s Dylan O’Brien) is younger, hungrier and, to my mind, slightly more believable.
Of course the plot is familiar, they all are. There are parts that are a little cliché, again that is normal. There are only so many stories and we just keep making variations of them because they are entertaining. People like to watch them.
What I liked about this was the initially underwhelming, normality of the central character. Rapp is not a drug enhanced, or military trained super soldier. He is just a normal guy who, in response to a terrible thing, trains himself to be stronger. He gets into MMA, learns to use weapons and takes advantage of the activities that are available to anyone, not just the military. Likewise the action scenes were more believable to me than some that we see. There are no huge stunts or action sequences that you know are simply not possible in reality. The action is raw and realistic and the characters come across as strong and resourceful but not super-human.
In reality however, taking revenge on an organised terrorist group requires more resources than your average man in the street. So it is no surprise when we learn that Rapp has been under the watchful eye of the CIA.
Enter, experienced, old-school team leader Stan Hurley. (Michael Keaton) This is by no means Keaton’s greatest performance and in a way it seems like a relatively easy payday, but the interchanges between the thoughtful elder and the hot tempered youth make for a more interesting film than it otherwise could have been. The two work very well together.
This movie may not be high art but it is entertaining. It introduces a new name and character type to the spy genre and does it in a way that is not dependant on super powers or techno enhancements. It was gritty and fun and I enjoyed it.
7.5 out of 10
review by Veronika Chekmareva
American Assassin is an exciting, full of action film, that does not only make your heart race the entire movie, but plays on your emotions and forces you to tear up. It is a classic spin on a vengeful assassin film with a few unexpected twists, and the most amazing special effects, really demonstrating the complexity of today's technology. Moreover, the main actor, the young Dylan O'Brien, makes his debut in a film, after years of acting in a TV Series 'Teen Wolf'.
7/10
website
review by Benjamin Newall
American Assassin Review
By Benjamin Newall
Forget James Bond, George Smiley, Jason Bourne and Xander Cage, the names that come to mind when we think of cinematic representations of the macho, male spy. But in the latest offering by Lionsgate and CBS, American Assassin, we have a very different kind of character. Mitch Rapp, (Maze Runner’s Dylan O’Brien) is younger, hungrier and, to my mind, slightly more believable.
Of course the plot is familiar, they all are. There are parts that are a little cliché, again that is normal. There are only so many stories and we just keep making variations of them because they are entertaining. People like to watch them.
What I liked about this was the initially underwhelming, normality of the central character. Rapp is not a drug enhanced, or military trained super soldier. He is just a normal guy who, in response to a terrible thing, trains himself to be stronger. He gets into MMA, learns to use weapons and takes advantage of the activities that are available to anyone, not just the military. Likewise the action scenes were more believable to me than some that we see. There are no huge stunts or action sequences that you know are simply not possible in reality. The action is raw and realistic and the characters come across as strong and resourceful but not super-human.
In reality however, taking revenge on an organised terrorist group requires more resources than your average man in the street. So it is no surprise when we learn that Rapp has been under the watchful eye of the CIA.
Enter, experienced, old-school team leader Stan Hurley. (Michael Keaton) This is by no means Keaton’s greatest performance and in a way it seems like a relatively easy payday, but the interchanges between the thoughtful elder and the hot tempered youth make for a more interesting film than it otherwise could have been. The two work very well together.
This movie may not be high art but it is entertaining. It introduces a new name and character type to the spy genre and does it in a way that is not dependant on super powers or techno enhancements. It was gritty and fun and I enjoyed it.
7.5 out of 10
review by Veronika Chekmareva
American Assassin is an exciting, full of action film, that does not only make your heart race the entire movie, but plays on your emotions and forces you to tear up. It is a classic spin on a vengeful assassin film with a few unexpected twists, and the most amazing special effects, really demonstrating the complexity of today's technology. Moreover, the main actor, the young Dylan O'Brien, makes his debut in a film, after years of acting in a TV Series 'Teen Wolf'.
7/10
THE BELKO EXPERIMENT NEW
website
RATE: 5/10
When the heads explode and people die in the pond of blood you star thinking: do I really need to see this and what is the purpose? We all now Kill Bill - was not it enough?
The plot is rather plain and rather predictable. There are bad guys and there are good guys.
It is rather OK to watch but I did not see much sense in it.
If you look at the acting side it is poor to put it in the light way. It is boring sometimes to put it in the harsh way. It did not teach e anything or it was much entertainment. People have to kill each other to survive - there is nothing new about the plot. It s how they play around it and I did not see much fun in it.
It is very sad for e to write this as I usually love the movies selected and distributed by Rialto. This was the saddest so far.
website
RATE: 5/10
When the heads explode and people die in the pond of blood you star thinking: do I really need to see this and what is the purpose? We all now Kill Bill - was not it enough?
The plot is rather plain and rather predictable. There are bad guys and there are good guys.
It is rather OK to watch but I did not see much sense in it.
If you look at the acting side it is poor to put it in the light way. It is boring sometimes to put it in the harsh way. It did not teach e anything or it was much entertainment. People have to kill each other to survive - there is nothing new about the plot. It s how they play around it and I did not see much fun in it.
It is very sad for e to write this as I usually love the movies selected and distributed by Rialto. This was the saddest so far.
BLUE NEW
website
review by Amelia Wills
It’s hard to fathom the age of the Ocean. The constant flow of the waves, the currents which bring life to all parts of the globe.
We have creatures which dwell in the deep, some older than us, other species around before and during the dinosaurs.
The documentary ‘Blue’ focuses not only on the death and destruction humans have had on our oceans and inhabitants but also the incredible life within the sea, the beauty and sheer power it holds.
Mass extinctions, birds full of plastic, coral bleaching and community devastation are all some the issues facing our world today. ‘Blue’ following the lives and perspectives of seven Ocean Guardians facing these difficult problems head on and their deep connection to the ocean.
The intense love and passion the guardians have for the sea is contagious and despite the alarming and horrific facts and footage throughout the film I still leave feeling that I too can change the world.
‘Blue’ shows the constant, unrelenting effort of people working to save our oceans and also gives hope, that we too can preserve the amazing life within it.
Bluefilm.org
website
review by Amelia Wills
It’s hard to fathom the age of the Ocean. The constant flow of the waves, the currents which bring life to all parts of the globe.
We have creatures which dwell in the deep, some older than us, other species around before and during the dinosaurs.
The documentary ‘Blue’ focuses not only on the death and destruction humans have had on our oceans and inhabitants but also the incredible life within the sea, the beauty and sheer power it holds.
Mass extinctions, birds full of plastic, coral bleaching and community devastation are all some the issues facing our world today. ‘Blue’ following the lives and perspectives of seven Ocean Guardians facing these difficult problems head on and their deep connection to the ocean.
The intense love and passion the guardians have for the sea is contagious and despite the alarming and horrific facts and footage throughout the film I still leave feeling that I too can change the world.
‘Blue’ shows the constant, unrelenting effort of people working to save our oceans and also gives hope, that we too can preserve the amazing life within it.
Bluefilm.org
PERSIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2017
CLOSING NIGHT - BRIDGE OF SLEEP NEW
website
review by Ivan Lubkov
Bridge of Sleep – Persian International Film Festival closing night gala
The Persian International Film Festival 2017 concluded with the announcement of the Golden Gazelle Award winners. The ceremony continued with the screening of Bridge of Sleep, a modern adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment novel.
The picture stays true to the key concepts and psychological dilemmas of the book and at the same time seamlessly portrays them in modern setting. The film presents the life of a young man, Shahab who had a promising future, a family and a beautiful fiancé. Throughout the picture the life of the man goes through the changes that steer him towards unpredictable actions, regret and punishment. Even though the thoughts that he has and the situations he witnesses are very similar to Raskolnikov, main character in Crime and Punishmenet, the triggers are absolutely different and more understandable for the modern viewer. The theme of overall poverty is replaced by the themes of betrayal and drug abuse.
Unknowingly, the main character goes though extreme changes, after being betrayed by a good friend, Shahab turns away from all the good people around him and starts regular usage of drugs. At some point in the picture the character starts committing crimes to fulfil his addiction. Similar to the character in Crime and Punishment Shahab eventually gives in and chooses to seek redemption through incarceration.
The evening concluded with a banquet ceremony with variety of beverages and foods. The event gave opportunity to speak and take autographs from some of the winners of the Best Feature, Best Documentary and Best Short nominations of The Golden Gazelle award.
CLOSING NIGHT - BRIDGE OF SLEEP NEW
website
review by Ivan Lubkov
Bridge of Sleep – Persian International Film Festival closing night gala
The Persian International Film Festival 2017 concluded with the announcement of the Golden Gazelle Award winners. The ceremony continued with the screening of Bridge of Sleep, a modern adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment novel.
The picture stays true to the key concepts and psychological dilemmas of the book and at the same time seamlessly portrays them in modern setting. The film presents the life of a young man, Shahab who had a promising future, a family and a beautiful fiancé. Throughout the picture the life of the man goes through the changes that steer him towards unpredictable actions, regret and punishment. Even though the thoughts that he has and the situations he witnesses are very similar to Raskolnikov, main character in Crime and Punishmenet, the triggers are absolutely different and more understandable for the modern viewer. The theme of overall poverty is replaced by the themes of betrayal and drug abuse.
Unknowingly, the main character goes though extreme changes, after being betrayed by a good friend, Shahab turns away from all the good people around him and starts regular usage of drugs. At some point in the picture the character starts committing crimes to fulfil his addiction. Similar to the character in Crime and Punishment Shahab eventually gives in and chooses to seek redemption through incarceration.
The evening concluded with a banquet ceremony with variety of beverages and foods. The event gave opportunity to speak and take autographs from some of the winners of the Best Feature, Best Documentary and Best Short nominations of The Golden Gazelle award.
MAUDIE NEW
website
RATE 8.5/10
It is a terrific movie: you would need a handkerchief to cry into.
It is about true love , it is about care and it is about talent and inspiration.
It is about the people whose "ugly" appearance as the first impression puts you off and whose mind and kindness will make you get attached to them forever.
It is the film about unconditional love and it is about the inner beauty. We often forget that we live not with the "looks" but with the souls. We talk with the souls and we relate and reflect in each other.
The film also shows how the family can act as enemies towards you despite the strange people taking more care about you than your close ones.
It is a terrific film. Both actors are so strong I would have issues choosing who was the best. They were both so suitable for their characters and they delivered the best out of them. It is the film to soften your heart but not to make you feel good. the ending is not that pleasant but this is life I guess. It is not about the ending it is more about the journey between the birth and the passing t the other world.
I would also say best words about the photography and the landscapes as well as the soudtrack.
website
RATE 8.5/10
It is a terrific movie: you would need a handkerchief to cry into.
It is about true love , it is about care and it is about talent and inspiration.
It is about the people whose "ugly" appearance as the first impression puts you off and whose mind and kindness will make you get attached to them forever.
It is the film about unconditional love and it is about the inner beauty. We often forget that we live not with the "looks" but with the souls. We talk with the souls and we relate and reflect in each other.
The film also shows how the family can act as enemies towards you despite the strange people taking more care about you than your close ones.
It is a terrific film. Both actors are so strong I would have issues choosing who was the best. They were both so suitable for their characters and they delivered the best out of them. It is the film to soften your heart but not to make you feel good. the ending is not that pleasant but this is life I guess. It is not about the ending it is more about the journey between the birth and the passing t the other world.
I would also say best words about the photography and the landscapes as well as the soudtrack.
review by Rachel Sandey
" Maudie" is a 2016 biographical romantic drama film directed by Aisling Walsh and Starring Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke.
It's a true life story of a remarkable woman, well known Canadian folks artist Maud Lewis. She was suffering of crippling rheumatoid arthritis,
which deformed her body and maid her look mentally backward. In reality she was anything , but stupid. She was betrayed by her family and treated badly. Seeking independence she is applying for a live in housekeeping position to local fishman, very crude, illiterate man , the owner of a very small hut. It was a very turbulent start of the relationship. The house was so small, that there wasn't even room for a second bed and they had to share the one. She insisted, that they must marry to avoid the gossips in town. Eventually he agreed. Sally Hawkins played this role so brilliantly,
managing to open for us an inner beauty of this artist, her ability to see the beauty around her and create many unique works of art.
The film is a success. It leaves a very warm feeling in hearts and minds of viewers.
My rating 7/10
" Maudie" is a 2016 biographical romantic drama film directed by Aisling Walsh and Starring Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke.
It's a true life story of a remarkable woman, well known Canadian folks artist Maud Lewis. She was suffering of crippling rheumatoid arthritis,
which deformed her body and maid her look mentally backward. In reality she was anything , but stupid. She was betrayed by her family and treated badly. Seeking independence she is applying for a live in housekeeping position to local fishman, very crude, illiterate man , the owner of a very small hut. It was a very turbulent start of the relationship. The house was so small, that there wasn't even room for a second bed and they had to share the one. She insisted, that they must marry to avoid the gossips in town. Eventually he agreed. Sally Hawkins played this role so brilliantly,
managing to open for us an inner beauty of this artist, her ability to see the beauty around her and create many unique works of art.
The film is a success. It leaves a very warm feeling in hearts and minds of viewers.
My rating 7/10
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ALLIANCE FRANCAISE CLASSICAL FILM FESTIVAL 2017: THAT MAN FROM RIO NEW THE FILM TO PAY ATTENTION TO
website
RATE: 10/10
He is an athlete , he is a boxer, he performs all his tricks himself - no cascaders. He is the man and a half - he was on every woman's tongue back in Russia - we were all crazy about him and his films.
The film is dynamic, it is a spy movie farce, it is not normal, it sounds more like a parody on a good spy movie rater than a serious spy movie. Belmondo laughs at himself: today he is swinging the lianas in South American forests, piloting a plane, driving one car after another, climbing the tallest buildings and jumping off the rocks and cliffs - his journey seems endless but it is not aimless. He is watched by many loving eyes: on the screen. And he is irresistible. He is handsome and he is French. He is classical after all. It is the best adventure film I have seen in years taking in consideration the year it was made and the amount of work put into making such a film. Although his actress partner is not very strong on the screen she gives all the points to Jean-Pau t shine and to own every scene of the movie. It is more likely to be adored by the selective crowd of cinematography lovers and very old people - my parents would love this film. As to e - I can only say one thing: such films only get better and better with age like a good French wine. It is fun fun fun - go and watch it!
website
RATE: 10/10
He is an athlete , he is a boxer, he performs all his tricks himself - no cascaders. He is the man and a half - he was on every woman's tongue back in Russia - we were all crazy about him and his films.
The film is dynamic, it is a spy movie farce, it is not normal, it sounds more like a parody on a good spy movie rater than a serious spy movie. Belmondo laughs at himself: today he is swinging the lianas in South American forests, piloting a plane, driving one car after another, climbing the tallest buildings and jumping off the rocks and cliffs - his journey seems endless but it is not aimless. He is watched by many loving eyes: on the screen. And he is irresistible. He is handsome and he is French. He is classical after all. It is the best adventure film I have seen in years taking in consideration the year it was made and the amount of work put into making such a film. Although his actress partner is not very strong on the screen she gives all the points to Jean-Pau t shine and to own every scene of the movie. It is more likely to be adored by the selective crowd of cinematography lovers and very old people - my parents would love this film. As to e - I can only say one thing: such films only get better and better with age like a good French wine. It is fun fun fun - go and watch it!
BEATRIZAT DINNER NEW
website
RATE: 8/10
I was expecting much more from this film to be honest. It is a bit far away from the comedy as it is stated it was a comedy/drama. It is drama in its full development with a pinch of a comedy but a very slight one.
The first class country's citizens appear like a totally rich and living in their own world spoiled brats. This hardly implies to our times and countries as the situations pictured in the film are outrageous and I would say almost impossible but the events and the people actually remind me of the people that I know. Both sides of the antagonistic relationship shown in the film are rather grotesque. They are not comical but dramatic and ye, they are grotesque.
Salma delivers an immaculate work of the mature and experienced actress but I found the plot to be a bit naive and not that powerful as I would expect for such subject. I would add that for such topic the movie should have been much stronger. This material is so rich the film would be delightful but Beatriz At Dinner was how can I put it... (?) perhaps too childish for the topic.
Ok, a bit of details now. Beatriz is staying at the dinner party of her rich client (by pure accident) while her car breaks down She's spiritually advanced; she knows everything when it concerns the healing , she is fro Mexico her hoe village was destroyed by the developers. she has no family apart f the goat. She stays for dinner at the house of the builder who somehow appeared to be involved in her village demolition. It all fires up with Beatriz's hot temper when she hears the conversations during the dinner of the high society people. It is about hunting rare animals, it is about relationship with the third world countries, it is about building and construction and making money. It is about the lifestyle. They are two worlds : one based on profit and money making, soul-less and destroying the plant , the other one is about creating and life. They collide. They crush at each other. They are close of killing each other... It is disturbing to watch to be honest. . but it is more disturbing to see that so much more could have been done and said in this film... but it was not. I am only giving this film a bit higher rate because I love Salma.
website
RATE: 8/10
I was expecting much more from this film to be honest. It is a bit far away from the comedy as it is stated it was a comedy/drama. It is drama in its full development with a pinch of a comedy but a very slight one.
The first class country's citizens appear like a totally rich and living in their own world spoiled brats. This hardly implies to our times and countries as the situations pictured in the film are outrageous and I would say almost impossible but the events and the people actually remind me of the people that I know. Both sides of the antagonistic relationship shown in the film are rather grotesque. They are not comical but dramatic and ye, they are grotesque.
Salma delivers an immaculate work of the mature and experienced actress but I found the plot to be a bit naive and not that powerful as I would expect for such subject. I would add that for such topic the movie should have been much stronger. This material is so rich the film would be delightful but Beatriz At Dinner was how can I put it... (?) perhaps too childish for the topic.
Ok, a bit of details now. Beatriz is staying at the dinner party of her rich client (by pure accident) while her car breaks down She's spiritually advanced; she knows everything when it concerns the healing , she is fro Mexico her hoe village was destroyed by the developers. she has no family apart f the goat. She stays for dinner at the house of the builder who somehow appeared to be involved in her village demolition. It all fires up with Beatriz's hot temper when she hears the conversations during the dinner of the high society people. It is about hunting rare animals, it is about relationship with the third world countries, it is about building and construction and making money. It is about the lifestyle. They are two worlds : one based on profit and money making, soul-less and destroying the plant , the other one is about creating and life. They collide. They crush at each other. They are close of killing each other... It is disturbing to watch to be honest. . but it is more disturbing to see that so much more could have been done and said in this film... but it was not. I am only giving this film a bit higher rate because I love Salma.
THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES NEW
website
review by Susie Cashmere
THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES (2017)
Director: Roger Goldby
Cast : Joan Collins, Pauline Collins, Franco Nero
Genre : Comedy/Drama
Running Time: 104 mins
Dame Joan Collins is fabulous as Helen Shelly, once a former Hollywood star, but currently a resident in a nursing home with quite severe hip problems.
She longs to re live her glory days, and when she hears that the director of one of her past hit shows dies in France, she is determined to attend thefuneral.
On one of her outings with the residents of the nursing home, she encounters Pricilla (Pauline Collins) who is a bullied housewife trapped in domestic tragedy.
Pricilla recognises Helen from one of her favourite films and agrees to escape her life and accompany her to France for the funeral.
I was reminded of Shirley valentine by Pricilla’s character.
On their adventures, they meet up with the elderly but striking and charismatic artist named Alberto (Franco Nero)
Of course we are lead to believe that he will fall madly in love with Helen, but he does in fact fall for the meek and mild Pricilla.
Whilst Helen wants to reconnect with the film industry movers and shakers to re live her past, it is in fact the growth of Pricilla’s character that makes this film quite enjoyable to watch.
It’s funny in parts and poignant in others and there is just enough story line to keep the viewer interested for the entirety.
Not brilliant, but worth a watch for some light entertainment.
Overall, I would give The Time of Their Lives a 6.5/10.
Reviewed by Susie Cashmere.
website
review by Susie Cashmere
THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES (2017)
Director: Roger Goldby
Cast : Joan Collins, Pauline Collins, Franco Nero
Genre : Comedy/Drama
Running Time: 104 mins
Dame Joan Collins is fabulous as Helen Shelly, once a former Hollywood star, but currently a resident in a nursing home with quite severe hip problems.
She longs to re live her glory days, and when she hears that the director of one of her past hit shows dies in France, she is determined to attend thefuneral.
On one of her outings with the residents of the nursing home, she encounters Pricilla (Pauline Collins) who is a bullied housewife trapped in domestic tragedy.
Pricilla recognises Helen from one of her favourite films and agrees to escape her life and accompany her to France for the funeral.
I was reminded of Shirley valentine by Pricilla’s character.
On their adventures, they meet up with the elderly but striking and charismatic artist named Alberto (Franco Nero)
Of course we are lead to believe that he will fall madly in love with Helen, but he does in fact fall for the meek and mild Pricilla.
Whilst Helen wants to reconnect with the film industry movers and shakers to re live her past, it is in fact the growth of Pricilla’s character that makes this film quite enjoyable to watch.
It’s funny in parts and poignant in others and there is just enough story line to keep the viewer interested for the entirety.
Not brilliant, but worth a watch for some light entertainment.
Overall, I would give The Time of Their Lives a 6.5/10.
Reviewed by Susie Cashmere.
THE DANCER NEW THE FILM TO PAY ATTENTION TO
website
RATE: 10/10
The Alliance Franciase French Film festival held the special sneak peek screening for media of the mesmerizing film called The Dancer, La Danseuse, starring French singer Soko and graceful Lily-Rose Depp . The film story is about Marie-Louise Fuller - dite Loïe Fuller, an American born innovative dancer who moved to Paris to perform for a more culturally advanced audience.
The film is transparent itself as well and the dancers and the dances in it. It is made so beautifully you will leave the theater inspired to do something creative yourself. It is biographical, yes, but to say this is to say nothing about the movie: it is more about the growth of a person spiritually as well as mentally then just telling the story of the life mile stones. It is the search of the soul if one can put it that way: as an artist and as a woman.
It is more poetic that the poetry in its core. It is ore empowering than the strongest coffee. It is more enchanting than the most sophisticated spell. It is more passionate about what you do in life than The Passion itself. The actors are so genuine and so believable you will think that you were simply taken into their world by a special force of the invisible time machine, The dancers in the film dance better than any butterfly in the world... and it all comes together like a finest concerto: the details, the decorations and the main line.
I think the film was an excellent choice for such audience screening as well as a superb choice for the Festival. It is IMHO a must see for all our readers involved into artistic and creative work. It is for everyone else also to see how much effort the simple dance takes as well as any art creation.
Lily-Rose Depp
website
RATE: 10/10
The Alliance Franciase French Film festival held the special sneak peek screening for media of the mesmerizing film called The Dancer, La Danseuse, starring French singer Soko and graceful Lily-Rose Depp . The film story is about Marie-Louise Fuller - dite Loïe Fuller, an American born innovative dancer who moved to Paris to perform for a more culturally advanced audience.
The film is transparent itself as well and the dancers and the dances in it. It is made so beautifully you will leave the theater inspired to do something creative yourself. It is biographical, yes, but to say this is to say nothing about the movie: it is more about the growth of a person spiritually as well as mentally then just telling the story of the life mile stones. It is the search of the soul if one can put it that way: as an artist and as a woman.
It is more poetic that the poetry in its core. It is ore empowering than the strongest coffee. It is more enchanting than the most sophisticated spell. It is more passionate about what you do in life than The Passion itself. The actors are so genuine and so believable you will think that you were simply taken into their world by a special force of the invisible time machine, The dancers in the film dance better than any butterfly in the world... and it all comes together like a finest concerto: the details, the decorations and the main line.
I think the film was an excellent choice for such audience screening as well as a superb choice for the Festival. It is IMHO a must see for all our readers involved into artistic and creative work. It is for everyone else also to see how much effort the simple dance takes as well as any art creation.
Lily-Rose Depp
IT NEW
website
review by Bryanna Reynolds
REVIEW: IT
By Bryanna Reynolds
In this remake of a 1990’s horror mini series, this feature length film IT takes the audience on a journey of of fear and ultimate horror when a group of young teens come face to face with the thoughts of their biggest fears.
Starring a group of mischievous young teenagers in this hit horror film Warner Brothers have added an addition to the their repertoire of engaging films that make you think outside the box.
If you were wondering if the trailer implies how scary the film is, then yes it is as scary as what it looks. I don’t think I would want any clowns sitting near me or in my line of sight for a very long time.
Every moment you see a clown you find yourself on the edge of your seat waiting and wondering what is going to happen next. It is definitely a shock you to the core type of movie. Especially through the use of focusing on child actors.
Set in a beautiful little town it is a group of young misfits who discover and entangle the weird mysteries that have been happening in their town. It is after the death and disappearance of their loved ones and friends that they start doing their own investigating and find out more than what they can handle.
The child actors were absolutely brilliant, as the story follows through their viewpoint this adds to the level of fear. You are viewing the film through their eyes and feel everything they experience.
And if you are wondering how it ends well let's just say it is left open to chapter 2. Yes the original Stephen King book which the film is based on has been split into a 2 part film. This is a positive though because it means you get to relive all the horror again.
I would recommend this film to anyone who has seen the franchise Conjuring and Annabelle franchise series if you have then you will absolutely love this film. There isn't anything negative I can say about it and that doesn't happen often. If you are a lover of suspense and thrills this is for you. Although there are child actors this is in no way suitable for any kids unless they love clowns, then do not let them see this one.
I can't wait to see what happens next in this series of films.
website
review by Bryanna Reynolds
REVIEW: IT
By Bryanna Reynolds
In this remake of a 1990’s horror mini series, this feature length film IT takes the audience on a journey of of fear and ultimate horror when a group of young teens come face to face with the thoughts of their biggest fears.
Starring a group of mischievous young teenagers in this hit horror film Warner Brothers have added an addition to the their repertoire of engaging films that make you think outside the box.
If you were wondering if the trailer implies how scary the film is, then yes it is as scary as what it looks. I don’t think I would want any clowns sitting near me or in my line of sight for a very long time.
Every moment you see a clown you find yourself on the edge of your seat waiting and wondering what is going to happen next. It is definitely a shock you to the core type of movie. Especially through the use of focusing on child actors.
Set in a beautiful little town it is a group of young misfits who discover and entangle the weird mysteries that have been happening in their town. It is after the death and disappearance of their loved ones and friends that they start doing their own investigating and find out more than what they can handle.
The child actors were absolutely brilliant, as the story follows through their viewpoint this adds to the level of fear. You are viewing the film through their eyes and feel everything they experience.
And if you are wondering how it ends well let's just say it is left open to chapter 2. Yes the original Stephen King book which the film is based on has been split into a 2 part film. This is a positive though because it means you get to relive all the horror again.
I would recommend this film to anyone who has seen the franchise Conjuring and Annabelle franchise series if you have then you will absolutely love this film. There isn't anything negative I can say about it and that doesn't happen often. If you are a lover of suspense and thrills this is for you. Although there are child actors this is in no way suitable for any kids unless they love clowns, then do not let them see this one.
I can't wait to see what happens next in this series of films.
THE LOVERS NEW THE FILM TO PAY ATTENTION TO
website
RATE: 8/10
There is nothing like falling in love again with your long life relationship husband or wife / partner. It happens despite the cooling down years, un-passionate tgethrness and silence in the house. It happens. One spark can turn such relationship upside down and bring them to square one when you longed for each other. Debra Winger and Tracy Letts are long married couple, there is nothing left between them except their grown up son. Almost theater stage film where four plus major actors are involved demands the immaculate performance from everyone. They deliver beautifully. We like them , we care for them. He has a lover on the side and she has one too. Everyone is waiting for the couple to fall apart. There is no trigger. It can last for years like this till the last drop is making the glass overflown and the water spills on the floor. Is there anything else that can keep them together?
I loved the film. There was only one part missing: I really did not care how it would end but he twist towards the end of the film made it even more interesting.
website
RATE: 8/10
There is nothing like falling in love again with your long life relationship husband or wife / partner. It happens despite the cooling down years, un-passionate tgethrness and silence in the house. It happens. One spark can turn such relationship upside down and bring them to square one when you longed for each other. Debra Winger and Tracy Letts are long married couple, there is nothing left between them except their grown up son. Almost theater stage film where four plus major actors are involved demands the immaculate performance from everyone. They deliver beautifully. We like them , we care for them. He has a lover on the side and she has one too. Everyone is waiting for the couple to fall apart. There is no trigger. It can last for years like this till the last drop is making the glass overflown and the water spills on the floor. Is there anything else that can keep them together?
I loved the film. There was only one part missing: I really did not care how it would end but he twist towards the end of the film made it even more interesting.
VICTORIA AND ABDUL NEW
website
RATE: 8/10
It is a superb true and extraordinary story about the unusual relationship between Queen Victoria and Abdul Karin a young man of muslim religion and Indian origin. Abdul arrives to England to present Queen Victoria with the unique coin a present of the Indian government. Victoria notices the young man and starts a conversation with him which leads to the relationship of beauty and compassion beyond friendship, passion and love. Despite the intrigues of the palace clerks, relatives and officials who feel unhappy about such favorite choices of Her Majesty the Queen is not ready to give up on her relationship with Abdul. The drama unfolds with certain events taking place one after another.
The plot is well structured and the film is done with a quality and high level of camera work and directorship close to none. The actors are all beyond any possible imagination and Judy's performance stands above it all. The film has light humor, amazingly lush interiors and the nature landscapes for the dreamers to dream about. It is not boring to watch and I can see many will enjoy it t the most.
website
RATE: 8/10
It is a superb true and extraordinary story about the unusual relationship between Queen Victoria and Abdul Karin a young man of muslim religion and Indian origin. Abdul arrives to England to present Queen Victoria with the unique coin a present of the Indian government. Victoria notices the young man and starts a conversation with him which leads to the relationship of beauty and compassion beyond friendship, passion and love. Despite the intrigues of the palace clerks, relatives and officials who feel unhappy about such favorite choices of Her Majesty the Queen is not ready to give up on her relationship with Abdul. The drama unfolds with certain events taking place one after another.
The plot is well structured and the film is done with a quality and high level of camera work and directorship close to none. The actors are all beyond any possible imagination and Judy's performance stands above it all. The film has light humor, amazingly lush interiors and the nature landscapes for the dreamers to dream about. It is not boring to watch and I can see many will enjoy it t the most.
review by Carolyne Newall
Victoria and Abdul.
It is hard for us in the 21st Century to understand that a monarch of Queen Victoria’s power and influence actually never got to visit India, a country long accepted as the jewel in the British crown. The expansion of the British Empire that took place during her rein was prodigious yet it appears that the Queen herself got to visit very little of the empire.
This was one of a few surprises that came for me while watching the new film Victoria and Abdul which looks at the relationship that the aging Queen shared with her Indian ‘Munshi’ Abdul Karim.
I am a product of Empire in some ways; born in India in the 1950’s to British parents and schooled in the British system I am familiar with the history, the spread of influence and, sadly, the dark side of colonialism. This is all to say that I did not expect to be surprised by anything in the film. The behaviour of various members of the English Court to the interloper is only too easy to accept, as is the viciousness of Edward towards the Karims following the death of the Queen.
What struck me for the first time, another surprise, was the length of time this extraordinary woman spent with no one to keep her company. Maybe it is because I am getting older that I can begin to understand. Here she was in her late 60s, she had birthed 9 children and had already spent decades alone following the death of her beloved Albert. She was a strong and intelligent woman who was perpetually surrounded by sycophants jockeying for position and influence. All I can think now is that I am surprised there were not more men like Mr Brown and Abdul Karim in the life of the Queen.
If this film had been about Queen Victoria only and Abdul Karim had only a supporting part maybe it would have been okay. But it isn’t, and it wasn’t. Karim is in a title role and though played elegantly by Ali Fazal, the film presents this character, who must have had some depth to win the Queens admiration, as curiously shallow and lacking in shades.
There are too many unanswered questions. The caste system was still strongly in evidence in the India of the time and we are not really shown how Karim manages to migrate successfully from his prior position into the role of servant. It is too simple and too slick. It is only in the wonderful moments where his friend Mohammed Buksh (Adeel Akhtar) speaks that we get a glimpse of some issues that could have made for a really interesting film. Unfortunately these are never explored.
The director, Stephen Frears and writer, Lee Hall, have used Abdul Karim as a device in the production of another pro-monarchy vehicle for Judy Dench. This is probably the commercially wise thing to do, though it hints a little at a lack of creative courage.
Dench is wonderful as always, that was never in doubt, and there are solid, if repetitive performances by an esteemed cast which included Michael Gambon, Olivia Williams, Eddie Izzard and Tim Pigott-Smith.
This should be enough to save the film though there are parts which just don’t make sense to a modern audience. This is no Mrs Brown and perhaps that is central to my disappointment. Rather than show respect for Abdul and outrage at his mistreatment, the film delivers us a flat character with whom it is hard to empathise. I would be really interested to know what Shrabani Basu thought of the film. She is the journalist who wrote the book on which the film is loosely based and who managed to find Karim’s journals, which had escaped destruction and were safely hidden by his family in Pakistan.
Some lovely moments but, on the whole, disappointing.
3/5 6/10
Victoria and Abdul.
It is hard for us in the 21st Century to understand that a monarch of Queen Victoria’s power and influence actually never got to visit India, a country long accepted as the jewel in the British crown. The expansion of the British Empire that took place during her rein was prodigious yet it appears that the Queen herself got to visit very little of the empire.
This was one of a few surprises that came for me while watching the new film Victoria and Abdul which looks at the relationship that the aging Queen shared with her Indian ‘Munshi’ Abdul Karim.
I am a product of Empire in some ways; born in India in the 1950’s to British parents and schooled in the British system I am familiar with the history, the spread of influence and, sadly, the dark side of colonialism. This is all to say that I did not expect to be surprised by anything in the film. The behaviour of various members of the English Court to the interloper is only too easy to accept, as is the viciousness of Edward towards the Karims following the death of the Queen.
What struck me for the first time, another surprise, was the length of time this extraordinary woman spent with no one to keep her company. Maybe it is because I am getting older that I can begin to understand. Here she was in her late 60s, she had birthed 9 children and had already spent decades alone following the death of her beloved Albert. She was a strong and intelligent woman who was perpetually surrounded by sycophants jockeying for position and influence. All I can think now is that I am surprised there were not more men like Mr Brown and Abdul Karim in the life of the Queen.
If this film had been about Queen Victoria only and Abdul Karim had only a supporting part maybe it would have been okay. But it isn’t, and it wasn’t. Karim is in a title role and though played elegantly by Ali Fazal, the film presents this character, who must have had some depth to win the Queens admiration, as curiously shallow and lacking in shades.
There are too many unanswered questions. The caste system was still strongly in evidence in the India of the time and we are not really shown how Karim manages to migrate successfully from his prior position into the role of servant. It is too simple and too slick. It is only in the wonderful moments where his friend Mohammed Buksh (Adeel Akhtar) speaks that we get a glimpse of some issues that could have made for a really interesting film. Unfortunately these are never explored.
The director, Stephen Frears and writer, Lee Hall, have used Abdul Karim as a device in the production of another pro-monarchy vehicle for Judy Dench. This is probably the commercially wise thing to do, though it hints a little at a lack of creative courage.
Dench is wonderful as always, that was never in doubt, and there are solid, if repetitive performances by an esteemed cast which included Michael Gambon, Olivia Williams, Eddie Izzard and Tim Pigott-Smith.
This should be enough to save the film though there are parts which just don’t make sense to a modern audience. This is no Mrs Brown and perhaps that is central to my disappointment. Rather than show respect for Abdul and outrage at his mistreatment, the film delivers us a flat character with whom it is hard to empathise. I would be really interested to know what Shrabani Basu thought of the film. She is the journalist who wrote the book on which the film is loosely based and who managed to find Karim’s journals, which had escaped destruction and were safely hidden by his family in Pakistan.
Some lovely moments but, on the whole, disappointing.
3/5 6/10
PATTI CAKE$ NEW THE FILM TO PAY ATTENTION TO
website
RATE: 9.5/10
The film with the soundtrack to die for.The best rapper I have heard ever!
If you are rap lover the film is totally yours yours yours! But even if you are not you will adore the movie.
Danielle MacDonald is an amazing actress but the whole cast is also superb! They are all very suitable for their characters which makes the film more like a reality show rater than the feature film.
You will face dysfunctional family, drugs use, rudeness, violence, abusive language, poverty and struggling to survive, talent, disappointment and the raise of a new sensational music star. Patti is lovable not , she is not sweet but somehow we fall for her character and want her to succeed. Her poetry is absolutely great. I was also surprised to find out that the actress is not a rapper, but her performance then deserves all double stars!
The film will be most suitable for the younger generation IMHO and for the young girls who work hard towards their life goal. For those girls there is a message: if HE does not love you there is always someone else who does and he is much better as he understands you and will be supportive and caring for you on you every step in life. Go not for the one you love but for the one who loves YOU - always!
website
RATE: 9.5/10
The film with the soundtrack to die for.The best rapper I have heard ever!
If you are rap lover the film is totally yours yours yours! But even if you are not you will adore the movie.
Danielle MacDonald is an amazing actress but the whole cast is also superb! They are all very suitable for their characters which makes the film more like a reality show rater than the feature film.
You will face dysfunctional family, drugs use, rudeness, violence, abusive language, poverty and struggling to survive, talent, disappointment and the raise of a new sensational music star. Patti is lovable not , she is not sweet but somehow we fall for her character and want her to succeed. Her poetry is absolutely great. I was also surprised to find out that the actress is not a rapper, but her performance then deserves all double stars!
The film will be most suitable for the younger generation IMHO and for the young girls who work hard towards their life goal. For those girls there is a message: if HE does not love you there is always someone else who does and he is much better as he understands you and will be supportive and caring for you on you every step in life. Go not for the one you love but for the one who loves YOU - always!
MOUNTAIN NEW BEST FILM OF THE NONTH
website
RATE: 10/10
I was thrilled! I have not seen anything more spectacular than this film in the last year!
The music soundtrack and the breathtaking views and activities made me seat in the theater like a mouse only screaming in fear r excitement! - this is how good it was!
It is a sublime match of music by Australian Chamber Orchestra and the mountain views with the text only the best poet can dream of - I was glued to the screen like a bee to the spring honey. I could not hear a sound from any other media viewers too but I doubt they are into extreme sport and up the mountain climbing and down the mountain skiing.
It is all snow, glaciers, stones, cliffs, lakes, landscapes of the scale only god as a grand designer can contemplate.
Would I say it was unique? Yes, I would love t meet the writer of the script as every sentence, very word in the plot was thought through and went in one breath in these hours of watching this beauty!
Was there sport Very much so. Spirituality? Yes, you are right! Variety? You bet! Adrenalin? On every page of the screen! Exploration and obsession with the whole subject ? Give me a beak - YES! I am was about to go mad - this is how good it was! I want ti go skiing again and again through the no track territories crossing the most dangerous places ! I loved it t o the most! Wilderness? Yes, it was there! Attraction> To the very tears! I missed my forests and mountains too! It is a beauty on the edge of the knife from all around the world with the music accompanied the film to the best of best classical can offer! The magic beyond our understanding that was there when we all were only in some one's dream? Yes, baby! I was touched t the core of my inner being-ness! The power of poetry in the text lines was also beyond any wildest imagination... Relationship? Yes, the most divine ever - of the humans and nature!
For e it was an ecstatic experience as all my family was into the extreme sports at some stage -but I am sure even if you are not - you will love different parts of the film!
ENJOY! I envy those of you who have not seen it yet!
website
RATE: 10/10
I was thrilled! I have not seen anything more spectacular than this film in the last year!
The music soundtrack and the breathtaking views and activities made me seat in the theater like a mouse only screaming in fear r excitement! - this is how good it was!
It is a sublime match of music by Australian Chamber Orchestra and the mountain views with the text only the best poet can dream of - I was glued to the screen like a bee to the spring honey. I could not hear a sound from any other media viewers too but I doubt they are into extreme sport and up the mountain climbing and down the mountain skiing.
It is all snow, glaciers, stones, cliffs, lakes, landscapes of the scale only god as a grand designer can contemplate.
Would I say it was unique? Yes, I would love t meet the writer of the script as every sentence, very word in the plot was thought through and went in one breath in these hours of watching this beauty!
Was there sport Very much so. Spirituality? Yes, you are right! Variety? You bet! Adrenalin? On every page of the screen! Exploration and obsession with the whole subject ? Give me a beak - YES! I am was about to go mad - this is how good it was! I want ti go skiing again and again through the no track territories crossing the most dangerous places ! I loved it t o the most! Wilderness? Yes, it was there! Attraction> To the very tears! I missed my forests and mountains too! It is a beauty on the edge of the knife from all around the world with the music accompanied the film to the best of best classical can offer! The magic beyond our understanding that was there when we all were only in some one's dream? Yes, baby! I was touched t the core of my inner being-ness! The power of poetry in the text lines was also beyond any wildest imagination... Relationship? Yes, the most divine ever - of the humans and nature!
For e it was an ecstatic experience as all my family was into the extreme sports at some stage -but I am sure even if you are not - you will love different parts of the film!
ENJOY! I envy those of you who have not seen it yet!
NT LIVE: ANGELS IN AMERICA PART 1 AND PART 2 NEW
website 1
website 2
RATE: 9/10
review by Dina Gavrilova
9/10
Being a synonym of quality National Theatre Live brings to Melbourne a unique opportunity to watch Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize winner drama Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Directed by Tony Award winning director Marianne Elliott, it has brilliant cast including Andrew Garfield, Denise Gough, Nathan Lane, James McArdle and Russell Tovey.
Nearly 8-hours performance includes two parts Millennium Approaches and Perestroika and contains several storylines. The first one is about Prior Walter a gay man who just learned he has AIDS and his lover Louis Ironson trying to cope with this news. Another drama unfolds between a closeted gay Joe Pitt and his wife Harper looking for a relief in a valium addiction. At the same time, Joe has peculiar relationship with his mentor Roy Cohn, a lawyer who recommended Ethel Rosenberg’s execution. All this is whimsically intertwined and generously flavored by angels’ and ghosts’ appearances in New York in the mid-1980s.
Captivating actors’ performance complemented by scenography with interpenetrating spaces creates an absolutely surreal atmosphere where fantasy and reality are indistinguishable and only human nature matters. Appealing to everyone regardless religion or sexuality the play speaks about such common issues as fear, betrayal, mortality. Behind the screen of these non-trivial stories even more complicated nuances are hidden: what choices do we make in our lives? where is the line between selfishness and protection of one’s best interests?
what it takes to accept ourselves?
So, if you are up to a ride on a rollercoaster of feelings and emotions such as love and despair, abandonment and uncertainty with a beam of hope on the way and life-asserting final then very welcome to watch the play. You will enjoy it!
website 1
website 2
RATE: 9/10
review by Dina Gavrilova
9/10
Being a synonym of quality National Theatre Live brings to Melbourne a unique opportunity to watch Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize winner drama Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Directed by Tony Award winning director Marianne Elliott, it has brilliant cast including Andrew Garfield, Denise Gough, Nathan Lane, James McArdle and Russell Tovey.
Nearly 8-hours performance includes two parts Millennium Approaches and Perestroika and contains several storylines. The first one is about Prior Walter a gay man who just learned he has AIDS and his lover Louis Ironson trying to cope with this news. Another drama unfolds between a closeted gay Joe Pitt and his wife Harper looking for a relief in a valium addiction. At the same time, Joe has peculiar relationship with his mentor Roy Cohn, a lawyer who recommended Ethel Rosenberg’s execution. All this is whimsically intertwined and generously flavored by angels’ and ghosts’ appearances in New York in the mid-1980s.
Captivating actors’ performance complemented by scenography with interpenetrating spaces creates an absolutely surreal atmosphere where fantasy and reality are indistinguishable and only human nature matters. Appealing to everyone regardless religion or sexuality the play speaks about such common issues as fear, betrayal, mortality. Behind the screen of these non-trivial stories even more complicated nuances are hidden: what choices do we make in our lives? where is the line between selfishness and protection of one’s best interests?
what it takes to accept ourselves?
So, if you are up to a ride on a rollercoaster of feelings and emotions such as love and despair, abandonment and uncertainty with a beam of hope on the way and life-asserting final then very welcome to watch the play. You will enjoy it!
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NAMATJIRA NEW
website
RATE: 6/10
I usually love the films with Indigenous People but this one in particular did not win my heart for some reason. Albert Namatjira, an artist with with his captivating landscapes was the first Aboriginal person in history to be granted citizenship, Not only he was a gifted artist , he was an Aboriginal rights fighter. The rights to his art were not though attached to his native community that was deprived from benefiting from their talented member. The film story is about The Namatjira Project that has a noble aim to restore these rights and return them to his original family and tribe. It is a film about the legacy, the battle for the truth and fair rights of the native Australian people.
website
RATE: 6/10
I usually love the films with Indigenous People but this one in particular did not win my heart for some reason. Albert Namatjira, an artist with with his captivating landscapes was the first Aboriginal person in history to be granted citizenship, Not only he was a gifted artist , he was an Aboriginal rights fighter. The rights to his art were not though attached to his native community that was deprived from benefiting from their talented member. The film story is about The Namatjira Project that has a noble aim to restore these rights and return them to his original family and tribe. It is a film about the legacy, the battle for the truth and fair rights of the native Australian people.
ARAB FILM FESTIVAL : OPENING NIGHT : MAHBAS NEW
SOLITAIRE
website
RATE: 6.10
review by Dina Gavrilova
Mahbas, 2016
6/10
National film festivals are supposed to broaden our horizons and bring together different cultures. However, this goal is hard to reach sometimes. Especially, when it comes to humor which is very specific for every nation.
‘Mahbas’, the movie opened Arab Film Festival, is a typical story about the meeting between two families on the occasion of children’s engagement. And, naturally, they don’t like each other… Notorious plot since time immemorial. However, humor enlivens it a bit. And the extend of enlivenment depends on how deeply one is able to appreciate the culture because mostly jokes are concentrated around Lebanon - Syria struggles.
On the other hand, this movie is a pleasant way to spend an evening and a good start for getting know different culture. You won’t regret watching it. A gentle and warm aftertaste will be provided!
SOLITAIRE
website
RATE: 6.10
review by Dina Gavrilova
Mahbas, 2016
6/10
National film festivals are supposed to broaden our horizons and bring together different cultures. However, this goal is hard to reach sometimes. Especially, when it comes to humor which is very specific for every nation.
‘Mahbas’, the movie opened Arab Film Festival, is a typical story about the meeting between two families on the occasion of children’s engagement. And, naturally, they don’t like each other… Notorious plot since time immemorial. However, humor enlivens it a bit. And the extend of enlivenment depends on how deeply one is able to appreciate the culture because mostly jokes are concentrated around Lebanon - Syria struggles.
On the other hand, this movie is a pleasant way to spend an evening and a good start for getting know different culture. You won’t regret watching it. A gentle and warm aftertaste will be provided!
AMERICAN MADE NEW
website
RATE:8/10
There planes transporting drugs, CIA agents, pilots, loads of cocaine, piles of money, relationship, North and South American landscapes, Tom Cruise, friendship and lies, dead bodies, helicopters, danger, love, fatality, mistakes, greed, revenge, murders, drug-dealers (I thunk I mentioned that but doing it again to make sure you know what you will be watching!), family values, true events and fiction, guns ,money laundering, shooting, FBI, American president, agents and crooks, suitcases with money, garages full of money, rooms full of money (did I mention that before?) , adventure, cash, cash and (if I did not mention it before) loads of cash, the director, Doug Liman who basically weaves his magic on th escreenn to get us entertained to the most and you will be!
Apart from a bit slow pace for such caliber of the film (which can be excused as can be related to the times featured) I found the movie very well made and watchable. It was good but not excellent enough for me to get the adrenaline rush in my blood.
website
RATE:8/10
There planes transporting drugs, CIA agents, pilots, loads of cocaine, piles of money, relationship, North and South American landscapes, Tom Cruise, friendship and lies, dead bodies, helicopters, danger, love, fatality, mistakes, greed, revenge, murders, drug-dealers (I thunk I mentioned that but doing it again to make sure you know what you will be watching!), family values, true events and fiction, guns ,money laundering, shooting, FBI, American president, agents and crooks, suitcases with money, garages full of money, rooms full of money (did I mention that before?) , adventure, cash, cash and (if I did not mention it before) loads of cash, the director, Doug Liman who basically weaves his magic on th escreenn to get us entertained to the most and you will be!
Apart from a bit slow pace for such caliber of the film (which can be excused as can be related to the times featured) I found the movie very well made and watchable. It was good but not excellent enough for me to get the adrenaline rush in my blood.
GIFTED NEW
website
review by Carolyn Newall
Gifted Review.
At the beginning of the 20th century Swiss Psychiatrist Carl Jung began to explore the notion of archetypes in literature. In 2004, Christopher Booker, a student of Jung’s ideas, published his book The Seven Basic Plots – Why We Tell Stories. As the title suggests, the argument is that there are only 7 archetypal narratives and every book, movie, TV show etc are derivations of these narratives
George Lucas and Aaron Spelling have made no secret of their belief in this phenomenon and have used it extensively in the films they have made. The seven narratives are:
Overcoming the Monster
Rags to Riches
The Quest
Voyage and Return
Comedy
Tragedy
Rebirth
According to this there are no original plots just the same stories being told in different ways.
The point I am making here is that the criticism leveled at this film for its lack of originality is somewhat disingenuous. It displays a lack of understanding of the nature and foundation of creativity and then, to make it worse, ignores a number of significant ways this film deals with the basic story differently.
Firstly, are there clichés? Yes of course there are, clichés become clichés because they occur repeatedly in real life and this story is definitely about real life. Real life in a real way. It is not till later in the film that we discover that Frank Adler, (Chris Evans) a humble boat mechanic on the Florida coast, was every bit as brilliant as the women in his family and had been a Professor of Philosophy until his sister’s death gave him the responsibility of raising his niece Mary.(Mckenna Grace)
Believing that his brilliant sister wanted a more normal life for her daughter than the one she had had, he packs them up and leaves the big city to move to a small coastal town in Florida. And there they are left alone until Frank, to the dismay of his landlady and neighbour Roberta, (Octavia Spencer) decides Mary needs to go to school to make friends. Roberta’s fears are proven to be well founded as a posse of powerful and determined women, including Frank’s mother who had shown no interest in the child in all her seven years, descend and attempt to wrest control from Frank.
They want to give the child the opportunity to become great, Frank wants her to be a good person.
Is the ending predictable, I guess in some ways it is though there is definitely the suggestion that if Frank can’t pull a rabbit from a hat (or a cat from a cage) then money and connections are going to win. This is not unusual as life often is predictable, Society has behavioural and philosophical norms that govern us and regularly lead to predictable outcomes.
It was the lack of unnecessary drama that I most enjoyed about this film. Yes there was a custody hearing and yes Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) is manipulative, mothers of sons often are. However they stayed civil to each other during the process and even the most awful revelation was done with out heat and with compassion.
A relatively happy ending may appear predictable, yet I would argue that it is the opposite. If good people with good intentions always won we would have a very different world.
The performances were delightful. The verbal banter between Frank and Mary is reminiscent of the types of conversations had by many sole parents and their children. Mutually respectful yet with no doubt who the adult is and who is in charge. Chris Evans displayed a range and control that is not evident in Captain America and I hope he does more of this type of film. Octavia Spencer doesn’t get a lot to say but does it beautifully. The other performers are fine but it is McKenna Grace who is a stand out. Her portrayal of the child/genius who is torn between her excitement about mathematics and her childlike need of her Uncle was shaded and believable.
The film was directed by Marc Webb who first came to notice with his indie film 500 Days of Summer. Between then and Gifted he was given the two latest Spiderman movies. It is to be hoped that he will only do the franchises in order to fund his more subtle independent ventures.
41/2 Stars from me.
Rating: PG-13 (for thematic elements, language and some suggestive material)
Genre: Drama
Directed By: Marc Webb
Written By: Tom Flynn
In Theaters: Aug 31, 2017 Limited
On Disc/Streaming: Jul 25, 2017
Box Office: $24,799,765
Runtime: 101 minutes
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
website
review by Carolyn Newall
Gifted Review.
At the beginning of the 20th century Swiss Psychiatrist Carl Jung began to explore the notion of archetypes in literature. In 2004, Christopher Booker, a student of Jung’s ideas, published his book The Seven Basic Plots – Why We Tell Stories. As the title suggests, the argument is that there are only 7 archetypal narratives and every book, movie, TV show etc are derivations of these narratives
George Lucas and Aaron Spelling have made no secret of their belief in this phenomenon and have used it extensively in the films they have made. The seven narratives are:
Overcoming the Monster
Rags to Riches
The Quest
Voyage and Return
Comedy
Tragedy
Rebirth
According to this there are no original plots just the same stories being told in different ways.
The point I am making here is that the criticism leveled at this film for its lack of originality is somewhat disingenuous. It displays a lack of understanding of the nature and foundation of creativity and then, to make it worse, ignores a number of significant ways this film deals with the basic story differently.
Firstly, are there clichés? Yes of course there are, clichés become clichés because they occur repeatedly in real life and this story is definitely about real life. Real life in a real way. It is not till later in the film that we discover that Frank Adler, (Chris Evans) a humble boat mechanic on the Florida coast, was every bit as brilliant as the women in his family and had been a Professor of Philosophy until his sister’s death gave him the responsibility of raising his niece Mary.(Mckenna Grace)
Believing that his brilliant sister wanted a more normal life for her daughter than the one she had had, he packs them up and leaves the big city to move to a small coastal town in Florida. And there they are left alone until Frank, to the dismay of his landlady and neighbour Roberta, (Octavia Spencer) decides Mary needs to go to school to make friends. Roberta’s fears are proven to be well founded as a posse of powerful and determined women, including Frank’s mother who had shown no interest in the child in all her seven years, descend and attempt to wrest control from Frank.
They want to give the child the opportunity to become great, Frank wants her to be a good person.
Is the ending predictable, I guess in some ways it is though there is definitely the suggestion that if Frank can’t pull a rabbit from a hat (or a cat from a cage) then money and connections are going to win. This is not unusual as life often is predictable, Society has behavioural and philosophical norms that govern us and regularly lead to predictable outcomes.
It was the lack of unnecessary drama that I most enjoyed about this film. Yes there was a custody hearing and yes Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) is manipulative, mothers of sons often are. However they stayed civil to each other during the process and even the most awful revelation was done with out heat and with compassion.
A relatively happy ending may appear predictable, yet I would argue that it is the opposite. If good people with good intentions always won we would have a very different world.
The performances were delightful. The verbal banter between Frank and Mary is reminiscent of the types of conversations had by many sole parents and their children. Mutually respectful yet with no doubt who the adult is and who is in charge. Chris Evans displayed a range and control that is not evident in Captain America and I hope he does more of this type of film. Octavia Spencer doesn’t get a lot to say but does it beautifully. The other performers are fine but it is McKenna Grace who is a stand out. Her portrayal of the child/genius who is torn between her excitement about mathematics and her childlike need of her Uncle was shaded and believable.
The film was directed by Marc Webb who first came to notice with his indie film 500 Days of Summer. Between then and Gifted he was given the two latest Spiderman movies. It is to be hoped that he will only do the franchises in order to fund his more subtle independent ventures.
41/2 Stars from me.
Rating: PG-13 (for thematic elements, language and some suggestive material)
Genre: Drama
Directed By: Marc Webb
Written By: Tom Flynn
In Theaters: Aug 31, 2017 Limited
On Disc/Streaming: Jul 25, 2017
Box Office: $24,799,765
Runtime: 101 minutes
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD NEW
website
RATE: 7.5/10
It is an action comedy. Yes, there are actions, but they we have been there and we have seen it all. Yes, there is a comedy but I hardly smiled. It is entertaining but not t o the point where fall in love wit the characters or with the whole movie for god sake! It worked and did not for me. I also thought that if this move was screened in 80-s it would be fantastic but for these times the audience looks for something much better action and comedy-wise. The car chases and the boat chases are ... mmmm... not there , they are simply boring, the romance is flat to the most if not t say there is no romance at all. Reynolds and Jackson work together very well but this is all where it ends... NO excitement of a new film - just one more to forget I guess. I put a higher rate to this as I still believe the much younger generation (teenagers perhaps) might like it.
website
RATE: 7.5/10
It is an action comedy. Yes, there are actions, but they we have been there and we have seen it all. Yes, there is a comedy but I hardly smiled. It is entertaining but not t o the point where fall in love wit the characters or with the whole movie for god sake! It worked and did not for me. I also thought that if this move was screened in 80-s it would be fantastic but for these times the audience looks for something much better action and comedy-wise. The car chases and the boat chases are ... mmmm... not there , they are simply boring, the romance is flat to the most if not t say there is no romance at all. Reynolds and Jackson work together very well but this is all where it ends... NO excitement of a new film - just one more to forget I guess. I put a higher rate to this as I still believe the much younger generation (teenagers perhaps) might like it.
ARAB FILM FESTIVAL 2017: ALI, THE GOAT AND IBRAHIM NEW
website
review by Susie Cashmere
“Ali,the Goat, and Ibrahim”
1Hour 32 mins
Directed by : Sherif El Bendary
Produced by : Mohamed Hefzy
Genre : Drama/Comedy
Cast : Nahed El Sebai, Ahmed Magdy, Salwa Mohamed Ali
I found this film at first quite strange and then as I got into it, I loved it.
A story about two men who meet at a clinic, both with psychological problems, who are sent on a journey of self discovery. Along the way they meet up with a prostitute and the saga begins.
I tried to not over think the metaphors and take it for the warm hearted film that it really was.
It was about a man, who really was in love with a goat, another who heard endless voices screaming in his head and another who despised her life.
It explores the concept of overcoming personal demons through love and maintaining an equitable society.
It’s a curious film that sometimes can irritate the viewer but has a fabulous story to it.
The soundtrack was fantastic as were all the absurdities that went along with “Ali, the Goat, and Ibrahim”.
I would recommend this to any viewer who loves the absurdity of life but the simple ways to conquer it.
Over all, I would give this film a 7/10.
website
review by Susie Cashmere
“Ali,the Goat, and Ibrahim”
1Hour 32 mins
Directed by : Sherif El Bendary
Produced by : Mohamed Hefzy
Genre : Drama/Comedy
Cast : Nahed El Sebai, Ahmed Magdy, Salwa Mohamed Ali
I found this film at first quite strange and then as I got into it, I loved it.
A story about two men who meet at a clinic, both with psychological problems, who are sent on a journey of self discovery. Along the way they meet up with a prostitute and the saga begins.
I tried to not over think the metaphors and take it for the warm hearted film that it really was.
It was about a man, who really was in love with a goat, another who heard endless voices screaming in his head and another who despised her life.
It explores the concept of overcoming personal demons through love and maintaining an equitable society.
It’s a curious film that sometimes can irritate the viewer but has a fabulous story to it.
The soundtrack was fantastic as were all the absurdities that went along with “Ali, the Goat, and Ibrahim”.
I would recommend this to any viewer who loves the absurdity of life but the simple ways to conquer it.
Over all, I would give this film a 7/10.
DINNER NEW
website
RATE: 6/10
If you would love to see the good book adaptation spoiled to the most this would be the movie to see. I was thinking through the entire picture: how could they fall down with such a rewarding topic, with such a brilliant cast , with such a beautiful environment given to them t perform. It is hard to judge now but I am more than sure it was a bad director's work, rush, unset staging and not demanding performance from the actors. fail, fail, fail on many points. It is sad!
The whole movie did not have a flaw to it leaving the audience in front of the animal with the broken leg that hardy made it t the very end. If I had more courage I would leave the theater but I normally do it very rarely.
If we ever run a voting for the worst movie of the year this one would be on the top list for me. The actors performed ridiculously poor; even the teenagers were doing a better job. Richard Gere IMHO did not show up hi full potential ad it was extremely boring to watch hi reading his lines. It was way too long, upsetting with the whole staging . Steve Coogan IMHO should never try it again. His "trips" are much better done than this work 100 times. For the entire movie I could not connect with the actors, nor I could understand the plot.
The job done on the film was very poor and it does not deserve any rating although I gave it 6 (very low for me but high for the readers) just to thank Richard to appear there.
website
RATE: 6/10
If you would love to see the good book adaptation spoiled to the most this would be the movie to see. I was thinking through the entire picture: how could they fall down with such a rewarding topic, with such a brilliant cast , with such a beautiful environment given to them t perform. It is hard to judge now but I am more than sure it was a bad director's work, rush, unset staging and not demanding performance from the actors. fail, fail, fail on many points. It is sad!
The whole movie did not have a flaw to it leaving the audience in front of the animal with the broken leg that hardy made it t the very end. If I had more courage I would leave the theater but I normally do it very rarely.
If we ever run a voting for the worst movie of the year this one would be on the top list for me. The actors performed ridiculously poor; even the teenagers were doing a better job. Richard Gere IMHO did not show up hi full potential ad it was extremely boring to watch hi reading his lines. It was way too long, upsetting with the whole staging . Steve Coogan IMHO should never try it again. His "trips" are much better done than this work 100 times. For the entire movie I could not connect with the actors, nor I could understand the plot.
The job done on the film was very poor and it does not deserve any rating although I gave it 6 (very low for me but high for the readers) just to thank Richard to appear there.
ALI'S WEDDING NEW
website
RATE: 9/10
To be honest I was not expecting much from this film and how wrong I was... I loved it I loved it and I loved it!
The story is based on true events but the way it was told is absolutely amazing! Funny with a twist, with lovable characters and interesting ending.
We can follow how one lie can lead to more and more lies and can finally lead to an unwanted faith changing. Truth is always better , easier to say and it will lead you to your destiny as well. It is easier to say than to do though.
Ali is in love with someone else but he is forced to marry another girl just because of one innocent mistake that was a result of his big ego. Now life takes him in the direction he does not want to be in. Would he be able to get out of the situation and prove to himself that he is the person who creates his own destiny? He might... but you have to see it with your own eyes, follow him step by step to the ending of the film and laugh and cry together with him...
website
RATE: 9/10
To be honest I was not expecting much from this film and how wrong I was... I loved it I loved it and I loved it!
The story is based on true events but the way it was told is absolutely amazing! Funny with a twist, with lovable characters and interesting ending.
We can follow how one lie can lead to more and more lies and can finally lead to an unwanted faith changing. Truth is always better , easier to say and it will lead you to your destiny as well. It is easier to say than to do though.
Ali is in love with someone else but he is forced to marry another girl just because of one innocent mistake that was a result of his big ego. Now life takes him in the direction he does not want to be in. Would he be able to get out of the situation and prove to himself that he is the person who creates his own destiny? He might... but you have to see it with your own eyes, follow him step by step to the ending of the film and laugh and cry together with him...
HAMPSTEAD NEW
website
RATE: 8/10
This incredible story was inspired and based upon by the true story of the 'Hampstead Hermit', Harry Hallowes living wild Hampstead Heath in London the capital of England when they take on the developers who want to destroy his home..It is a very well done drama with a solid structure, romance , separation and romance again.
There is a bit of drama, a bit of frustration a bit of misunderstanding, a bit of love and caring - just a bit of everything which makes a good and believable comedy but for some reason that was not enough for me to give it a higher rate. I had a strong feeling the film was missing something which would make it a bit more flavorish so to speak. I did not see no strong performance of the secondary roles in the film however the major characters were magnificent. But I would give it a higher rate if I fell in love with them all - including the majors. It did not take place, so it was 8 out of 1 for me. I can see the audience who would adore this movie and will appreciate the story development and the performance more than me but it just was not enough IMHO.
website
RATE: 8/10
This incredible story was inspired and based upon by the true story of the 'Hampstead Hermit', Harry Hallowes living wild Hampstead Heath in London the capital of England when they take on the developers who want to destroy his home..It is a very well done drama with a solid structure, romance , separation and romance again.
There is a bit of drama, a bit of frustration a bit of misunderstanding, a bit of love and caring - just a bit of everything which makes a good and believable comedy but for some reason that was not enough for me to give it a higher rate. I had a strong feeling the film was missing something which would make it a bit more flavorish so to speak. I did not see no strong performance of the secondary roles in the film however the major characters were magnificent. But I would give it a higher rate if I fell in love with them all - including the majors. It did not take place, so it was 8 out of 1 for me. I can see the audience who would adore this movie and will appreciate the story development and the performance more than me but it just was not enough IMHO.
ARAB FILM FESTIVAL: TRAIN TO PEACE
website
review by Sheridan Atkinson
A train to Peace
Jakob Weyde and Jost Althoff’s ‘A Train to Peace’ is a bittersweet tale about a man’s life before he came to Germany.
Following a man on a train in Berlin, this short film tells the story of an Iraqi man’s childhood, as he is reminded of his life back in Iraq. When the man hears the sound of the train going along the tracks he begins to tell his story of the downfall of his childhood country.
‘A Train to Peace’ does a wonderful job at combining the use of a simplistic storyline, and no over the top effects, to tell a story. this film captures your intention and draws you into a world much different from many of our own. A heartbreaking story, that is both sad and informative, this short film does an amazing job showing the world that you don’t need numerous characters or effects, for a story to be both captivating and emotional. Using only one actor throughout the whole film (besides from extras), the story was created effortlessly, and never fails to keep your attention. One thing that made the film even more captivating was the use of animation to tell the story of the character’s childhood, this created another element to the ‘story telling’ type of film. This gives a sense of a diary of a child, or even a picture story book that has come to life.
A Train to Peace was a wonderful short film that is well worth the watch, and gives an insight into what other people may experience in their lives. An inspiring film that I would highly recommend to anyone.
website
review by Sheridan Atkinson
A train to Peace
Jakob Weyde and Jost Althoff’s ‘A Train to Peace’ is a bittersweet tale about a man’s life before he came to Germany.
Following a man on a train in Berlin, this short film tells the story of an Iraqi man’s childhood, as he is reminded of his life back in Iraq. When the man hears the sound of the train going along the tracks he begins to tell his story of the downfall of his childhood country.
‘A Train to Peace’ does a wonderful job at combining the use of a simplistic storyline, and no over the top effects, to tell a story. this film captures your intention and draws you into a world much different from many of our own. A heartbreaking story, that is both sad and informative, this short film does an amazing job showing the world that you don’t need numerous characters or effects, for a story to be both captivating and emotional. Using only one actor throughout the whole film (besides from extras), the story was created effortlessly, and never fails to keep your attention. One thing that made the film even more captivating was the use of animation to tell the story of the character’s childhood, this created another element to the ‘story telling’ type of film. This gives a sense of a diary of a child, or even a picture story book that has come to life.
A Train to Peace was a wonderful short film that is well worth the watch, and gives an insight into what other people may experience in their lives. An inspiring film that I would highly recommend to anyone.
ATOMIC BLONDE
website
review by Rachel Sandey
Atomic Blond is a 2017 American spy action thriller movie, directed by David Leitch, and written by Kurt Johnstad.
One of producers was an Oscar winner actress Charlize Theron, who was starring in the film as a top spy agent Lorraine
Broughton.
Film is taking us back to a cold war time and the main action is taking place in Berlin just before , during and after the wall, dividing West and East is falling. Lorraine ( Charlize) is strikingly beautiful, smart, physically amazingly strong and fast.Her mission is to find the list of the double agents, which is on the microfilm and concealed in the wristwatch. In Berlin she supposed to be met and assisted by locally based agent David
Percival, brilliantly played by James McAvoy, but it didn't go according to the plan, and on her arrival she was ambushed by a squad of soviet Police. Apparently David had set her up and he played double game.She had to go through a row of deadly and furious fights to accomplish her mission and survive.
The film is packed with action and intrigue and keeps viewers glued to the screen.
Music is written by Tyler Bates. Great sound track, brilliant acting and photography.
I definitely enjoyed the movie. It certainly worth to be seen.
My rating is 8/10
website
review by Rachel Sandey
Atomic Blond is a 2017 American spy action thriller movie, directed by David Leitch, and written by Kurt Johnstad.
One of producers was an Oscar winner actress Charlize Theron, who was starring in the film as a top spy agent Lorraine
Broughton.
Film is taking us back to a cold war time and the main action is taking place in Berlin just before , during and after the wall, dividing West and East is falling. Lorraine ( Charlize) is strikingly beautiful, smart, physically amazingly strong and fast.Her mission is to find the list of the double agents, which is on the microfilm and concealed in the wristwatch. In Berlin she supposed to be met and assisted by locally based agent David
Percival, brilliantly played by James McAvoy, but it didn't go according to the plan, and on her arrival she was ambushed by a squad of soviet Police. Apparently David had set her up and he played double game.She had to go through a row of deadly and furious fights to accomplish her mission and survive.
The film is packed with action and intrigue and keeps viewers glued to the screen.
Music is written by Tyler Bates. Great sound track, brilliant acting and photography.
I definitely enjoyed the movie. It certainly worth to be seen.
My rating is 8/10
THE WALL PAY ATTENTION TO THIS FILM
website
RATE: 9/10
It often surprises me how with only two major actors, very limited movement, practically no scenery change you can achieve much more than with a blockbuster that utilizes 1000-s of actors, colorful background and decorations and a super famous director.
I guess it is all in the script, the intense story development then, in the skills of only two actors and in director's work.
The storyline and the set up might be very simple: "Two American Soldiers are trapped by a lethal sniper, with only an unsteady wall between them. " The dialogues starts and this is not what you expect it to be.
The wall seems like a good shelter and cover and it is there in the material form but it separates the two different worlds,It divides them to one that we know (at least from the media) and the one that we know only little about. Both sides of the wall talk. There is one actor left on the scene. We see his actions but we do not see what happens on the other side.WE hear the voice only from the other side. Our imagination draws the person on the other side. But he talks and the words picture something else. The words shape the other side and we now think that this is clear to us... but the mystery will never get resolved till the very end. There is no evil and good anymore: there are just people who protect themselves, their families and their countries. This films is a good example on how the low budget films should be. I thought the "thriller"part was amazing: I was ready to leave the theater and would give it 8 out of 10 but the unexpected ending changed my mind completely. The rate went up!
No matter what the critics say I loved the movie. For me it was more like psychological journey into the worlds of different religions, different believes and different point s of view: the invaders and the invaded.The actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson kept surprising me with his strong performance and talent minute after minute. It is not an Oscar performance but he was very close. The film was also a perfect example of how your good expectations can be meet.
I highly recommend this film if not will be picking it up as the best movie of the month.
website
RATE: 9/10
It often surprises me how with only two major actors, very limited movement, practically no scenery change you can achieve much more than with a blockbuster that utilizes 1000-s of actors, colorful background and decorations and a super famous director.
I guess it is all in the script, the intense story development then, in the skills of only two actors and in director's work.
The storyline and the set up might be very simple: "Two American Soldiers are trapped by a lethal sniper, with only an unsteady wall between them. " The dialogues starts and this is not what you expect it to be.
The wall seems like a good shelter and cover and it is there in the material form but it separates the two different worlds,It divides them to one that we know (at least from the media) and the one that we know only little about. Both sides of the wall talk. There is one actor left on the scene. We see his actions but we do not see what happens on the other side.WE hear the voice only from the other side. Our imagination draws the person on the other side. But he talks and the words picture something else. The words shape the other side and we now think that this is clear to us... but the mystery will never get resolved till the very end. There is no evil and good anymore: there are just people who protect themselves, their families and their countries. This films is a good example on how the low budget films should be. I thought the "thriller"part was amazing: I was ready to leave the theater and would give it 8 out of 10 but the unexpected ending changed my mind completely. The rate went up!
No matter what the critics say I loved the movie. For me it was more like psychological journey into the worlds of different religions, different believes and different point s of view: the invaders and the invaded.The actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson kept surprising me with his strong performance and talent minute after minute. It is not an Oscar performance but he was very close. The film was also a perfect example of how your good expectations can be meet.
I highly recommend this film if not will be picking it up as the best movie of the month.
ARAB FILM FESTIVAL: I STILL HIDE TO SMOKE
website
review by Susie Cashmere
"I Still hide to smoke "
( Algeria)
Directed by: Rayhana Obermyer.
Starring: Hiam Abbas
Duration: 90mins.
I started watching this Algerian movie with English subtitles, not quite knowing what to expect.
I was pleasantly surprised.
It was interesting, funny and very educational.
The film is about a group of women, of all different ages and backgrounds, all living under the strict Islamic regime, who get together to meet at the local Hamman.
The Hamman is like our beauty spa, or Turkish bath.
There is laughter, tears, fighting and at times it is confrontational.
The film explores the situation these women face under this strict male dominated regime.
It's quite controversial and heavy at times.
The Hamman is a place where the women can be themselves, let out all feelings and emotions, remove Hijabs and escape the oppressive atmosphere outside.
I found it emotional, educational and the acting was brilliant.
I would recommend this film and give it an 8/10
website
review by Susie Cashmere
"I Still hide to smoke "
( Algeria)
Directed by: Rayhana Obermyer.
Starring: Hiam Abbas
Duration: 90mins.
I started watching this Algerian movie with English subtitles, not quite knowing what to expect.
I was pleasantly surprised.
It was interesting, funny and very educational.
The film is about a group of women, of all different ages and backgrounds, all living under the strict Islamic regime, who get together to meet at the local Hamman.
The Hamman is like our beauty spa, or Turkish bath.
There is laughter, tears, fighting and at times it is confrontational.
The film explores the situation these women face under this strict male dominated regime.
It's quite controversial and heavy at times.
The Hamman is a place where the women can be themselves, let out all feelings and emotions, remove Hijabs and escape the oppressive atmosphere outside.
I found it emotional, educational and the acting was brilliant.
I would recommend this film and give it an 8/10
WIND RIVER
website
RATE: 7/10
This film is very good. It actually reminded me my year living in Canada: depressive snow full surroundings, wild nature and thriller-like feeling of you being so small in this vast land of nothingness and Indian Reservations.
What I liked:
1. Jeremy Renner is superb! Elizabeth Olsen is OK. They are both quite suitable for their characters.
2. a new discovery for me: only FBI has police authority on Indian reservation territory
3. best scene: Renner having tracked down the main rapist and after capturing him he gives him the most satisfying form of vigilante justice -- making him crawl on his belly bloodied and barefoot in the snow to a hideous painfully slow death! If only all the rapist had such destiny that would be a world of peace. I loved this scene in particular.
4. the film is not that dry shoeing only crimes - there is a slight romance as well that makes it more colorful in some sense.
5. the real Indians and not Hollywood actors were acting in this film
6. nature landscapes are breathtaking!
7. at some parts the film looked simply classical
8. chilling effect from the thriller is perfectly matches the harsh and chilling weather conditions captured on camera
9. perfect thriller
What I did not like:
1. some elements of cheap genre clichés
2. a bit of a slow pace at the very beginning.
website
RATE: 7/10
This film is very good. It actually reminded me my year living in Canada: depressive snow full surroundings, wild nature and thriller-like feeling of you being so small in this vast land of nothingness and Indian Reservations.
What I liked:
1. Jeremy Renner is superb! Elizabeth Olsen is OK. They are both quite suitable for their characters.
2. a new discovery for me: only FBI has police authority on Indian reservation territory
3. best scene: Renner having tracked down the main rapist and after capturing him he gives him the most satisfying form of vigilante justice -- making him crawl on his belly bloodied and barefoot in the snow to a hideous painfully slow death! If only all the rapist had such destiny that would be a world of peace. I loved this scene in particular.
4. the film is not that dry shoeing only crimes - there is a slight romance as well that makes it more colorful in some sense.
5. the real Indians and not Hollywood actors were acting in this film
6. nature landscapes are breathtaking!
7. at some parts the film looked simply classical
8. chilling effect from the thriller is perfectly matches the harsh and chilling weather conditions captured on camera
9. perfect thriller
What I did not like:
1. some elements of cheap genre clichés
2. a bit of a slow pace at the very beginning.
PARIS CAN WAIT
website
RATE: 6.5/10
It is a romantic comedy many middle age women and med will enjoy watching. It is entertaining. It has some good light humor. It is a movie fora Friday night watching with the purpose of getting relaxed and letting go. It is also highly recommended for the couples who experience a fade of passion in their lives: it gives certain messages to both, husband and wife however I could see some people will find it too plain and way too sweet.
I though I'd follow the same structure of like/dislike
What I liked:
1. no violence, very grounded and at the same time very light in nature and typical French romantic comedy
2. lots of references to French culture shown. Example:
We know that many English queens, queen consorts and princesses were enthusiastic embroiderers and that Kings and Queens wore elaborately embroidered and embellished garments. But have you ever heard of a King that embroidered?
In June 1539 the French Ambassadors Marillac to Montmerency wrote:-
“The King, who in some former years has been solitary and pensive, now gives himself up to amusement. He evidently delights now in painting and embroidery”
We know that Henry commissioned many great tapestries and his palaces were lavishly furnished but it is hard to imagine the King sat stitching away with a hoop and needle in those large hands.
3. the film offers you an imaginary escape from your own worries in life
4. the movie very artistically done with the fine taste for everything: men, women, food, love, long car trips searching for something new and unexplored, culture and art with a fine French butter and seasoning - a great alternative to a busy modern life - there is a certain beauty in th efilm
5. excellent music choice along the trip that enhances the episodes without over-powering them
6. the dialogues between two people who meet for the first time and fall in love (?) is an interesting journey to follow
7. the excellent acting by Diane Lane who plays Anne, the main character, a rather new and elegant on all levels actress for me to discover.
8. a good example how not so perfect marriage might be healed in two days
9. Anne's fabulous wardrobe of course - for many women to adore
10. a beautiful work of Eleanor Coppola
11. a separate note on food which is simply a total hard core and I would say a pornography of food in the best meaning of this word (if there is any). If you are a food lover you will be thrilled.
What I did not like:
1. some very plain jokes
2. some boring parts present with not enough pace and flow
3. way too sweet and unbelievable in some parts
4. not enough substantial talks: I do not know about Anne, but I did not find anything about her trip partner to fall in love with apart of his passion, I did not find him deep enough and sophisticated enough for her. She could have done much better than him as a lover IMHO. I simply did not trust the spark between them: there was something lost and it was definitely Jacques: it could be his way too plain performance compared to Anne's delicate and complex inner world. Although who knows why do we get attracted to each other... She might have find something in Jacques her own husband was missing and decided to fill in and enrich her world...
5. I did not like Jacques and thought that he was not right for his character: might be his age or the way he behaved with Anne that did not make these relationship trusting (I mean for the audience - to trust that passion is there). If I was Anne I would not go after Jacques if it was only food and simple flirt - as it was. IMHO there should be more in relationship between the two lovers - I could not capture this essence to be present between Anne and Jacques. There is one word (actually two) that describes it: No chemistry! The film with such amazing actress as Diana could have been 100 times better
6. a big cliché movie that could have been done better if it was not Jacques in it.
7. if you expect more from the French romantic comedy - there is so much to watch start to Amelie.
website
RATE: 6.5/10
It is a romantic comedy many middle age women and med will enjoy watching. It is entertaining. It has some good light humor. It is a movie fora Friday night watching with the purpose of getting relaxed and letting go. It is also highly recommended for the couples who experience a fade of passion in their lives: it gives certain messages to both, husband and wife however I could see some people will find it too plain and way too sweet.
I though I'd follow the same structure of like/dislike
What I liked:
1. no violence, very grounded and at the same time very light in nature and typical French romantic comedy
2. lots of references to French culture shown. Example:
We know that many English queens, queen consorts and princesses were enthusiastic embroiderers and that Kings and Queens wore elaborately embroidered and embellished garments. But have you ever heard of a King that embroidered?
In June 1539 the French Ambassadors Marillac to Montmerency wrote:-
“The King, who in some former years has been solitary and pensive, now gives himself up to amusement. He evidently delights now in painting and embroidery”
We know that Henry commissioned many great tapestries and his palaces were lavishly furnished but it is hard to imagine the King sat stitching away with a hoop and needle in those large hands.
3. the film offers you an imaginary escape from your own worries in life
4. the movie very artistically done with the fine taste for everything: men, women, food, love, long car trips searching for something new and unexplored, culture and art with a fine French butter and seasoning - a great alternative to a busy modern life - there is a certain beauty in th efilm
5. excellent music choice along the trip that enhances the episodes without over-powering them
6. the dialogues between two people who meet for the first time and fall in love (?) is an interesting journey to follow
7. the excellent acting by Diane Lane who plays Anne, the main character, a rather new and elegant on all levels actress for me to discover.
8. a good example how not so perfect marriage might be healed in two days
9. Anne's fabulous wardrobe of course - for many women to adore
10. a beautiful work of Eleanor Coppola
11. a separate note on food which is simply a total hard core and I would say a pornography of food in the best meaning of this word (if there is any). If you are a food lover you will be thrilled.
What I did not like:
1. some very plain jokes
2. some boring parts present with not enough pace and flow
3. way too sweet and unbelievable in some parts
4. not enough substantial talks: I do not know about Anne, but I did not find anything about her trip partner to fall in love with apart of his passion, I did not find him deep enough and sophisticated enough for her. She could have done much better than him as a lover IMHO. I simply did not trust the spark between them: there was something lost and it was definitely Jacques: it could be his way too plain performance compared to Anne's delicate and complex inner world. Although who knows why do we get attracted to each other... She might have find something in Jacques her own husband was missing and decided to fill in and enrich her world...
5. I did not like Jacques and thought that he was not right for his character: might be his age or the way he behaved with Anne that did not make these relationship trusting (I mean for the audience - to trust that passion is there). If I was Anne I would not go after Jacques if it was only food and simple flirt - as it was. IMHO there should be more in relationship between the two lovers - I could not capture this essence to be present between Anne and Jacques. There is one word (actually two) that describes it: No chemistry! The film with such amazing actress as Diana could have been 100 times better
6. a big cliché movie that could have been done better if it was not Jacques in it.
7. if you expect more from the French romantic comedy - there is so much to watch start to Amelie.
THE KILLING GROUND
website
RATE: 7/10
I would say it is a thriller in its best possible form. The film will send shiver down your spine if you are into thrillers. The story line is very simple: a young and happy couple goes camping just to find themselves not only to witness a horrific crime but to be themselves in the life threatening situation.
There is nothing to complain about: the actors are ALL fantastic, the camera the set up, the director's work is superb! I would give the film 10/10 if I would understand why I have to witness all this mess. I only down-rated it for one reason: I caught myself glued to the cinema chair in fear and asking myself: why am I here? Why does they want me to see this frightening set up? What exactly do I have to learn apart from wasting my emotions?
Nevertheless let's go back to the positive vibes and I will be very happy to tell you what I liked:
1. it is an Australian film and I love these types of Australian films: it is clear, it is right to the point, it is flowing.
2. the rate would be 10.10 compared to the other films in this genre
3. amazing actors' work; likable characters; realistic people and realistic situations
4. excellent director's work
5. a superb work fro a low budget film
6. not one boring moment in the movie that develops slowly (without losing the audience's interest) to its climax and then the ending
7. the film contains a psychological twist to it that makes it more enjoyable to watch
What I did not lie:
1 the horrific scenes of rape
2. the "underworld" in all its ugliness
3. violence and certain situations where you simply cover your eyes to miss such episodes
website
RATE: 7/10
I would say it is a thriller in its best possible form. The film will send shiver down your spine if you are into thrillers. The story line is very simple: a young and happy couple goes camping just to find themselves not only to witness a horrific crime but to be themselves in the life threatening situation.
There is nothing to complain about: the actors are ALL fantastic, the camera the set up, the director's work is superb! I would give the film 10/10 if I would understand why I have to witness all this mess. I only down-rated it for one reason: I caught myself glued to the cinema chair in fear and asking myself: why am I here? Why does they want me to see this frightening set up? What exactly do I have to learn apart from wasting my emotions?
Nevertheless let's go back to the positive vibes and I will be very happy to tell you what I liked:
1. it is an Australian film and I love these types of Australian films: it is clear, it is right to the point, it is flowing.
2. the rate would be 10.10 compared to the other films in this genre
3. amazing actors' work; likable characters; realistic people and realistic situations
4. excellent director's work
5. a superb work fro a low budget film
6. not one boring moment in the movie that develops slowly (without losing the audience's interest) to its climax and then the ending
7. the film contains a psychological twist to it that makes it more enjoyable to watch
What I did not lie:
1 the horrific scenes of rape
2. the "underworld" in all its ugliness
3. violence and certain situations where you simply cover your eyes to miss such episodes
THE BIG SICK
website
RATE: 8/10
review by Benjamin Newall
The Big Sick
Coming out in theatres in Australia on July 27th, The Big Sick is the latest film by a major production house (Lionsgate) to be distributed by Amazon studios who shelled out a whopping US$12 million in a bidding war following the films premier at the Sundance Film Festival. This is a lot for an independent film without a major box office star. If it is indicative of Amazon’s creative direction it will certainly add to their credibility as a commercial studio.
The film is anchored in a particularly harrowing episode in the real-life relationship of actor/writer/comedian Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V Gordon, played by Zoe Kazan. Yet, written by the couple and with Nanjiani in the lead, the film is firmly in the romcom genre.
Nanjiani was actively pursuing his passion for stand-up comedy when he and Gordon first met so there are representations of that in the film, but that is not where the best comedy happens.
Born to a very traditional Pakistani Muslim family Nanjiani, like many second generation migrant offspring, has to navigate the treacherous waters of family expectations and clashing cultures. It is his inability to do this initially that causes problems for the couple’s relationship and leads to an impasse. That may have been it were it not for the dramatic events which followed shortly there after.
The interactions between Nanjiani and Gordon’s parents, played brilliantly by Holly Hunter (The Piano, Broadcast News, Batman Vs Superman) and Ray Romano (Everybody loves Raymond) as well as with his own mother, played by Zenobia Shroff, are where the real, intelligent comedy happens.
Nanjiani must somehow reconcile being a Pakistani man and a stand-up comedian, dealing with the woman he loves having a tragic illness and handling his family’s desire to fix him up with a wife, all the while figuring out who he really is and what he truly believes.
The complicated strands of this story allow us to see a level of Nanjiani’s talent that none of his previous roles have allowed. And it is formidable. He is absolutely the lead and will hopefully get more opportunities following this film.
I have to admit that the trailers and marketing did not make me want to see this movie. I guess I had succumbed to the media messaging that drives the box office blockbusters. If that is you also, do yourself a favour and go see this movie. It is one of the best screenplays I have seen for in long time.
My personal rating is 8.5/10 or 4/5. Rotten Tomatoes gives it 98%, IMDB – 8.2/10 and Metacritic – 87%
website
RATE: 8/10
review by Benjamin Newall
The Big Sick
Coming out in theatres in Australia on July 27th, The Big Sick is the latest film by a major production house (Lionsgate) to be distributed by Amazon studios who shelled out a whopping US$12 million in a bidding war following the films premier at the Sundance Film Festival. This is a lot for an independent film without a major box office star. If it is indicative of Amazon’s creative direction it will certainly add to their credibility as a commercial studio.
The film is anchored in a particularly harrowing episode in the real-life relationship of actor/writer/comedian Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V Gordon, played by Zoe Kazan. Yet, written by the couple and with Nanjiani in the lead, the film is firmly in the romcom genre.
Nanjiani was actively pursuing his passion for stand-up comedy when he and Gordon first met so there are representations of that in the film, but that is not where the best comedy happens.
Born to a very traditional Pakistani Muslim family Nanjiani, like many second generation migrant offspring, has to navigate the treacherous waters of family expectations and clashing cultures. It is his inability to do this initially that causes problems for the couple’s relationship and leads to an impasse. That may have been it were it not for the dramatic events which followed shortly there after.
The interactions between Nanjiani and Gordon’s parents, played brilliantly by Holly Hunter (The Piano, Broadcast News, Batman Vs Superman) and Ray Romano (Everybody loves Raymond) as well as with his own mother, played by Zenobia Shroff, are where the real, intelligent comedy happens.
Nanjiani must somehow reconcile being a Pakistani man and a stand-up comedian, dealing with the woman he loves having a tragic illness and handling his family’s desire to fix him up with a wife, all the while figuring out who he really is and what he truly believes.
The complicated strands of this story allow us to see a level of Nanjiani’s talent that none of his previous roles have allowed. And it is formidable. He is absolutely the lead and will hopefully get more opportunities following this film.
I have to admit that the trailers and marketing did not make me want to see this movie. I guess I had succumbed to the media messaging that drives the box office blockbusters. If that is you also, do yourself a favour and go see this movie. It is one of the best screenplays I have seen for in long time.
My personal rating is 8.5/10 or 4/5. Rotten Tomatoes gives it 98%, IMDB – 8.2/10 and Metacritic – 87%
ALL FOR ONE
website
review by Ivan Lubkov
All for one – the great achievements of a dedicated men
The film All for one uncovers the story of Orica-GreenEDGE cycling team throughout the European cycling races in 2012-2016 seasons. The story unfolds all the struggles that the cyclists have to endure to be victorious.
The sportsmen have to push their bodies to the limits to sustain speeds close to 70 km/h for over 200 kilometers and more. At such high speeds a fall or a pileup might lead to bad injuries or even disability.
In the first quarter of the film the life of Esteban Chaves is shown just before he joined the Australian team. He was a successful Columbian neo-pro cyclist with promising results up until he had a tremendous injury which left one of his arms almost immobile. He faced a hard and demotivating part of life when he was being told by countless doctors that the disability would be incurable and permanent. At that point, all he had was the support from his mother and father and a dream which he wanted to become reality. After countless conversations with doctors he eventually found someone willing to do what the rest were too afraid to try. The brave endeavor by the doctor allowed Estaban to get a second chance in life and recover. The promising cyclist was very surprised when he got a contract. He continued to work hard atOrica-GreenEDGE as a support cyclist up until he was confident to finish first in a number of parts of Vuelta a España race.
The film uncovers plenty more similar heart touching stories that unfolded during the France, Denmark and Italy races. As the film name suggests, the cycling sport is about mutual support and work of a large team of cyclists, doctors, mechanics, managers, owners and drivers. The team had its ups and downs but managed to come out victorious at the most unexpected times.
The film holds the viewer on the edge of the seat throughout its whole length, the story would be appealing to cycling enthusiasts and regular viewers alike.
website
review by Ivan Lubkov
All for one – the great achievements of a dedicated men
The film All for one uncovers the story of Orica-GreenEDGE cycling team throughout the European cycling races in 2012-2016 seasons. The story unfolds all the struggles that the cyclists have to endure to be victorious.
The sportsmen have to push their bodies to the limits to sustain speeds close to 70 km/h for over 200 kilometers and more. At such high speeds a fall or a pileup might lead to bad injuries or even disability.
In the first quarter of the film the life of Esteban Chaves is shown just before he joined the Australian team. He was a successful Columbian neo-pro cyclist with promising results up until he had a tremendous injury which left one of his arms almost immobile. He faced a hard and demotivating part of life when he was being told by countless doctors that the disability would be incurable and permanent. At that point, all he had was the support from his mother and father and a dream which he wanted to become reality. After countless conversations with doctors he eventually found someone willing to do what the rest were too afraid to try. The brave endeavor by the doctor allowed Estaban to get a second chance in life and recover. The promising cyclist was very surprised when he got a contract. He continued to work hard atOrica-GreenEDGE as a support cyclist up until he was confident to finish first in a number of parts of Vuelta a España race.
The film uncovers plenty more similar heart touching stories that unfolded during the France, Denmark and Italy races. As the film name suggests, the cycling sport is about mutual support and work of a large team of cyclists, doctors, mechanics, managers, owners and drivers. The team had its ups and downs but managed to come out victorious at the most unexpected times.
The film holds the viewer on the edge of the seat throughout its whole length, the story would be appealing to cycling enthusiasts and regular viewers alike.
DUNKIRK
website
review by Jeanette Russel
The movie is about the evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk in France as the Nazi troops were surrounding them. Set in 1940, world war II, civilian vessels were summoned to assist and rescue stranded troops. Three aspects come into the film, in three different time spans. The first is stories of a week in the life of soldiers and commanding officers. In particular one young troop fighting for survival. Secondly, interwoven within the viewing, an account of a day on a civilian boat going to the aid of the soldiers at Dunkirk. Lastly there is the hour time sequence of a fighter pilot, in the air. It was a gripping story, multi faceted, action packed and full of struggles, life and death that are portrayed through the various characters eyes. Some 400,000 troops were stranded at Dunkirk beach, at the time. Feelings of deep sadness swept over me, as the tales of these heros unravelled. The bravery, strength, and courage of the personalities was compelling. Screening at the Imax we were able to view the film in 70mm. Colossal is the way I would describe the screen. Scenes could be very disturbing and daunting yet kept us as viewers glued to the screen.
Christopher Nolan directed the film in which there is little dialogue but the visual aspects of the movie keep you more than entertained, with the sounds as well making it feel like you could be right there.
This account was very cleverly presented, on a large scale. Recommended viewing, and I would like to give the movie 3 1/2 out of 5.Thanks for the opportunity, to review the film.
website
review by Jeanette Russel
The movie is about the evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk in France as the Nazi troops were surrounding them. Set in 1940, world war II, civilian vessels were summoned to assist and rescue stranded troops. Three aspects come into the film, in three different time spans. The first is stories of a week in the life of soldiers and commanding officers. In particular one young troop fighting for survival. Secondly, interwoven within the viewing, an account of a day on a civilian boat going to the aid of the soldiers at Dunkirk. Lastly there is the hour time sequence of a fighter pilot, in the air. It was a gripping story, multi faceted, action packed and full of struggles, life and death that are portrayed through the various characters eyes. Some 400,000 troops were stranded at Dunkirk beach, at the time. Feelings of deep sadness swept over me, as the tales of these heros unravelled. The bravery, strength, and courage of the personalities was compelling. Screening at the Imax we were able to view the film in 70mm. Colossal is the way I would describe the screen. Scenes could be very disturbing and daunting yet kept us as viewers glued to the screen.
Christopher Nolan directed the film in which there is little dialogue but the visual aspects of the movie keep you more than entertained, with the sounds as well making it feel like you could be right there.
This account was very cleverly presented, on a large scale. Recommended viewing, and I would like to give the movie 3 1/2 out of 5.Thanks for the opportunity, to review the film.
AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: TRUTH TO POWER
website
RATE: 4/10
To be honest it is not a very awarding exercise to discuss politics.
The documentary is focusing on Al Gore's global warming / climate change speeches campaigns and previously done documentaries. We witness on screen Greenland glaciers exploding, the flooded streets of Miami Beach and the aftermath of the Philippines typhoon. These references are very impressive but to be honest I am not convinced. The film then concentrates on 2015 UN Climate Conference in Paris while convincing India to reduce from 400 the number of planned new coal plants. Still I am not in and I am not following as my sources give me a different information on climate change. It also felt like it was a commercial film about Al Gore, like his self advertising campaign. Is there any hidden agenda? - I do not know about it. I just have a gut feeling that the climate change is another money making machine and another way of confusing and disorienting the people masses. Climate has changed since the Earth was born. It is a pity that some people just noticed the obvious fact. I highly recommend many of the film spectators to do their own research and watch the film with the eyes wide open . If it is on TV it does not have to be the ultimate truth. The truth is inside of you. If y=it resonate inside of you with warmth and tears - it is the Truth. If you feel nothing - it is most likely not.
website
RATE: 4/10
To be honest it is not a very awarding exercise to discuss politics.
The documentary is focusing on Al Gore's global warming / climate change speeches campaigns and previously done documentaries. We witness on screen Greenland glaciers exploding, the flooded streets of Miami Beach and the aftermath of the Philippines typhoon. These references are very impressive but to be honest I am not convinced. The film then concentrates on 2015 UN Climate Conference in Paris while convincing India to reduce from 400 the number of planned new coal plants. Still I am not in and I am not following as my sources give me a different information on climate change. It also felt like it was a commercial film about Al Gore, like his self advertising campaign. Is there any hidden agenda? - I do not know about it. I just have a gut feeling that the climate change is another money making machine and another way of confusing and disorienting the people masses. Climate has changed since the Earth was born. It is a pity that some people just noticed the obvious fact. I highly recommend many of the film spectators to do their own research and watch the film with the eyes wide open . If it is on TV it does not have to be the ultimate truth. The truth is inside of you. If y=it resonate inside of you with warmth and tears - it is the Truth. If you feel nothing - it is most likely not.
at Hoyts Australia MELBOURNE CENTRAL for media screening of An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power
#beinconvenient
by Paramount Pictures
in cinemas August 10
#beinconvenient
by Paramount Pictures
in cinemas August 10
ARAB FILM FESTIVAL 2017: A MAID FOR EACH
website
review by Nadia Pleshkova
The frame around the picture. If the frame is gone- the picture stays the same, even emotionally." The crucial conversation about maids, being just picture frames, keeping the households running in the Lebanese society is hold in the documentary "A Maid for each", presented by the Arabic movie festival. This film uncovers the well set network of maids business between Beirut and a few foreign countries exporting the labour of the trained to be "invisible" maids. It is established that Lebanon receives the girls looking for domestic labour on an annual basis as following: 14,000 from Sri-Lanka, 40,000 from Bangladesh, 45,000 from Ethiopia , 29,000 from Phillipines. And that is only 2-3% of the workers arriving to Lebanon compare to the rest of the Gulf countries. The network of agencies in the above mentioned countries deal with Beirut ones via set fees and regulations. Not having a maid automatically diminishes your status in Beirut, becomes a sign of belonging to an inferior class. So the questions are: Is it just a life style of the used to maidens society? Is it such a necessity to have a maid? Have women changed so much to prefer to choose independency and career over caring for their kids full time? Or is it the demands of life that put more and more pressure on households to generate income to pay the endless bills? All these questions are answered based on the individual circumstances of the real Beiruts' families. Worth to watch to understand the global issues like migration.
website
review by Nadia Pleshkova
The frame around the picture. If the frame is gone- the picture stays the same, even emotionally." The crucial conversation about maids, being just picture frames, keeping the households running in the Lebanese society is hold in the documentary "A Maid for each", presented by the Arabic movie festival. This film uncovers the well set network of maids business between Beirut and a few foreign countries exporting the labour of the trained to be "invisible" maids. It is established that Lebanon receives the girls looking for domestic labour on an annual basis as following: 14,000 from Sri-Lanka, 40,000 from Bangladesh, 45,000 from Ethiopia , 29,000 from Phillipines. And that is only 2-3% of the workers arriving to Lebanon compare to the rest of the Gulf countries. The network of agencies in the above mentioned countries deal with Beirut ones via set fees and regulations. Not having a maid automatically diminishes your status in Beirut, becomes a sign of belonging to an inferior class. So the questions are: Is it just a life style of the used to maidens society? Is it such a necessity to have a maid? Have women changed so much to prefer to choose independency and career over caring for their kids full time? Or is it the demands of life that put more and more pressure on households to generate income to pay the endless bills? All these questions are answered based on the individual circumstances of the real Beiruts' families. Worth to watch to understand the global issues like migration.
TIMES OF THEIR LIVES
website
review by Nadia Pleshkova
Year in, year out one lives a monotonous, familiar and comfortable life. One accepts everyone around and events around with the same feeling, same emotion. Life is an even perfectly linear. Until one day, life itself cannot help it but start pulsing harder in order to come out of its shell, in order to create something new. "The Times of their Lives" film, directed and written by Roger Goldby, represents exactly that moment in life when life simply starts dictating your path because you are ready to open up for the new opportunities to come your way and you are ready to make a change. The chance throws two women, stuck in their fixed way of living, at each other. One is a former famous star, egoistic and self-absorbed Helen (Joan Collins), who lives in the retirement house, totally broken and unable to admit her ageing process. The other one is Priscilla (Pauline Collins), the wife who is totally bottled up in pleasing her disrespectful and horrible husband. And what an adventure they embark on! Crossing the countries' border, saving lives, stealing, falling in love and discovering a new friendship. Both actresses are brilliant in it along with the the star of Italian cinematography Franco Nero and Joely Richardson. Gorgeous cast make it so captivating and emotionally attached. Whatever age you are, you won't help but to applaud and admire two women, changing in front of your eyes and daring to do things like never before.
website
review by Nadia Pleshkova
Year in, year out one lives a monotonous, familiar and comfortable life. One accepts everyone around and events around with the same feeling, same emotion. Life is an even perfectly linear. Until one day, life itself cannot help it but start pulsing harder in order to come out of its shell, in order to create something new. "The Times of their Lives" film, directed and written by Roger Goldby, represents exactly that moment in life when life simply starts dictating your path because you are ready to open up for the new opportunities to come your way and you are ready to make a change. The chance throws two women, stuck in their fixed way of living, at each other. One is a former famous star, egoistic and self-absorbed Helen (Joan Collins), who lives in the retirement house, totally broken and unable to admit her ageing process. The other one is Priscilla (Pauline Collins), the wife who is totally bottled up in pleasing her disrespectful and horrible husband. And what an adventure they embark on! Crossing the countries' border, saving lives, stealing, falling in love and discovering a new friendship. Both actresses are brilliant in it along with the the star of Italian cinematography Franco Nero and Joely Richardson. Gorgeous cast make it so captivating and emotionally attached. Whatever age you are, you won't help but to applaud and admire two women, changing in front of your eyes and daring to do things like never before.
OUR TIME WILL COME
website
review by Bryanna Reynolds
REVIEW: Our Time Will Come
By Bryanna Reynolds
I very much love watching foreign films that are not in english as they provide a view and perspective of life that you wouldn't come across everyday. I did watch this film by myself but on reflection it would have been lovely watching with someone to retell the tales of the story, so definitely watch it with a friend. Thankfully this film has a beautiful story and it will surely inspire you in your everyday life to look back on our history.
I would compare it as an epic drama and there were comparisons and similarity between one of my favourite films Empire Of The Sun which only made me love the film even more. While the narrative is wonderfully rich, there were times when i was behind on the dialogue side of things as the subtitles did flash a little too quickly but visually this was made up for.
The plot of the film is about anti-Japanese Dongjiang guerilla unit rescuing cultural figures and extracting them from the city. The leads in the film all deliver strong performances and it is nice to see a feminist vibe world war II film with a unique perspective. I would say though if you are uneasy about movies with no clear ending then just prepare for that. I think this hints back to the tone of the film set by the wonderfully creative Ann Hui. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next, things can only grow better and better.
I would recommend this film to anyone who likes a drawn out narrative and loves learning about history and watching anything to do with the world war. If you are and drama based narratives then Our Time Will Come is most definitely a film you should see while in the cinema.
Just to reiterate these are only my own views and it could be viewed differently by anyone dependant on their native language. It doesn't matter what language you speak as you are sure to understand the narrative and this only means that the film is exceptional if i can understand and not have to worry about language.
website
review by Bryanna Reynolds
REVIEW: Our Time Will Come
By Bryanna Reynolds
I very much love watching foreign films that are not in english as they provide a view and perspective of life that you wouldn't come across everyday. I did watch this film by myself but on reflection it would have been lovely watching with someone to retell the tales of the story, so definitely watch it with a friend. Thankfully this film has a beautiful story and it will surely inspire you in your everyday life to look back on our history.
I would compare it as an epic drama and there were comparisons and similarity between one of my favourite films Empire Of The Sun which only made me love the film even more. While the narrative is wonderfully rich, there were times when i was behind on the dialogue side of things as the subtitles did flash a little too quickly but visually this was made up for.
The plot of the film is about anti-Japanese Dongjiang guerilla unit rescuing cultural figures and extracting them from the city. The leads in the film all deliver strong performances and it is nice to see a feminist vibe world war II film with a unique perspective. I would say though if you are uneasy about movies with no clear ending then just prepare for that. I think this hints back to the tone of the film set by the wonderfully creative Ann Hui. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next, things can only grow better and better.
I would recommend this film to anyone who likes a drawn out narrative and loves learning about history and watching anything to do with the world war. If you are and drama based narratives then Our Time Will Come is most definitely a film you should see while in the cinema.
Just to reiterate these are only my own views and it could be viewed differently by anyone dependant on their native language. It doesn't matter what language you speak as you are sure to understand the narrative and this only means that the film is exceptional if i can understand and not have to worry about language.
THE TRIP TO SPAIN PAY ATTENTION TO THIS FILM
website
RATE: 10/10
I personally had very low expectations about his particular film... not much I knew as it turned to be one of the best in the sequel of Steve Coogan.and Rob Brydon travelings in Europe.
The film has everything the good entertainment movie of this kind can offer: a light touch of drama and humor, delicious Spanish food and wine, spectacular locations, sharp remarks, magnificent impersonations of the famous people, the look on Spanish history including inquisition, caviar, oysters, prawns, chorisos,splendid accommodation, skillfully served tables, genuine conversations, the gentle relationship with family and lovers, unpredictable and hilarious ending and so on and so on,
If you are after a solid quality entertainment this is your movie - you will enjoy it and will have a good laugh too.
website
RATE: 10/10
I personally had very low expectations about his particular film... not much I knew as it turned to be one of the best in the sequel of Steve Coogan.and Rob Brydon travelings in Europe.
The film has everything the good entertainment movie of this kind can offer: a light touch of drama and humor, delicious Spanish food and wine, spectacular locations, sharp remarks, magnificent impersonations of the famous people, the look on Spanish history including inquisition, caviar, oysters, prawns, chorisos,splendid accommodation, skillfully served tables, genuine conversations, the gentle relationship with family and lovers, unpredictable and hilarious ending and so on and so on,
If you are after a solid quality entertainment this is your movie - you will enjoy it and will have a good laugh too.
from the amazing soundtrack:
About to see The Trip to Spainn presented by Madman / Madman Films . Not a big fan of those two guys , they are way too cynical to my taste and forget the admiration but the experiences they go through are not to be missed plus they joke ; let's see what these two are up to this time . [perhaps next time they should go to the hungry countries...hm... ]
GOD'S OWN COUNTRY PAY ATTENTION TO THIS FILM
website
RATE: 10/10
This will be perhaps the best film I have seen so far this year.
The events take place on the sheep farm in Yorkshire. The young local farmer Johnny looks after his father who had a stroke, after his aging mother and the farm. He drinks and has casual sex with the guys. It all changes when they hire a new Romanian worker Gheorghe to help Johnny with the farm work. What seemed dull and insignificant in Johnny's life before suddenly changes into something that makes sense and purpose. The relationship between Gheorghe and Johnny develop quickly and they are gorgeous and very intense. Their love towards each other grows day after day. It seems nothing can take them apart. It seems nothing can break those feelings.
The nature and the strong male energy - it all adds up. They both look like two handsome animals making love in the fields while looking after the sheep in spring. The film will definitely remind you of the Brokeback Mountain film but i found the God's Own Country film perhaps has more passionate relationship.
I was also fascinated with how Gheorghe looked after and handled the animals.
The story line is interesting and very unpredictable. It was also very touching to observe how Johnny's family take the news of their member being gay. All major characters are interesting enough and they are well shaped and finely developed.
I found the film to be a fresh look on gay, brave and daring relationship with one uplifting ending,
website
RATE: 10/10
This will be perhaps the best film I have seen so far this year.
The events take place on the sheep farm in Yorkshire. The young local farmer Johnny looks after his father who had a stroke, after his aging mother and the farm. He drinks and has casual sex with the guys. It all changes when they hire a new Romanian worker Gheorghe to help Johnny with the farm work. What seemed dull and insignificant in Johnny's life before suddenly changes into something that makes sense and purpose. The relationship between Gheorghe and Johnny develop quickly and they are gorgeous and very intense. Their love towards each other grows day after day. It seems nothing can take them apart. It seems nothing can break those feelings.
The nature and the strong male energy - it all adds up. They both look like two handsome animals making love in the fields while looking after the sheep in spring. The film will definitely remind you of the Brokeback Mountain film but i found the God's Own Country film perhaps has more passionate relationship.
I was also fascinated with how Gheorghe looked after and handled the animals.
The story line is interesting and very unpredictable. It was also very touching to observe how Johnny's family take the news of their member being gay. All major characters are interesting enough and they are well shaped and finely developed.
I found the film to be a fresh look on gay, brave and daring relationship with one uplifting ending,
A MONSTER CALLS
website
RATE: 8/10
The film is very touching. It reminded me my own personal story and my son who could not speak a word after his dad passed away and how hard was it for him to leave the silent world and learn to talk again.
The film relates though not only to extreme situations in life but also to any ordinary situations, not only to the kids but to everyone including adults: We tend to close up and never say what we think. We say but our words are not truthful. We say the truth but only a small part of it. Does the truth need to be yelled out?
I found the film to be very rare and unique not only to the subjects it raises: loneliness and inability to express ourselves. The major character is played to magnificently well. I kept thinking: this boy is so fragile as an actor but he feels so much and there is much expression and honesty in his face and in his body language. his acting is absolutely stunning.
You will ask : why there is a monster who assists the boy , why is he involved in the plot? he is boy's imaginary super-me,it is his non-existing angel, a guide who leads him on his way in understanding this world and how it works: its harness, its cruelty and its pains.
Do need to say more but I found myself all in tears barely naked in emotions letting them go freely at the end of the film. Sometimes pain is given to us for clarity and for finding the true us. Sometimes suffering brings purification to our soul.
I also believe the movies like that will be a very healthy way for the family watching together: it is more for the learining experience rather than entertaining.
I highly recommend it for the family view.
website
RATE: 8/10
The film is very touching. It reminded me my own personal story and my son who could not speak a word after his dad passed away and how hard was it for him to leave the silent world and learn to talk again.
The film relates though not only to extreme situations in life but also to any ordinary situations, not only to the kids but to everyone including adults: We tend to close up and never say what we think. We say but our words are not truthful. We say the truth but only a small part of it. Does the truth need to be yelled out?
I found the film to be very rare and unique not only to the subjects it raises: loneliness and inability to express ourselves. The major character is played to magnificently well. I kept thinking: this boy is so fragile as an actor but he feels so much and there is much expression and honesty in his face and in his body language. his acting is absolutely stunning.
You will ask : why there is a monster who assists the boy , why is he involved in the plot? he is boy's imaginary super-me,it is his non-existing angel, a guide who leads him on his way in understanding this world and how it works: its harness, its cruelty and its pains.
Do need to say more but I found myself all in tears barely naked in emotions letting them go freely at the end of the film. Sometimes pain is given to us for clarity and for finding the true us. Sometimes suffering brings purification to our soul.
I also believe the movies like that will be a very healthy way for the family watching together: it is more for the learining experience rather than entertaining.
I highly recommend it for the family view.
DESCENT INTO THE MAELSTROM
website
RATE: 5/10
It is a journey back in time when the group Radio Birdman was born and the band was formed. The film is about the musicians struggles to find their way in the industry and to establish their own venue as well as their records studio. After years being and touring together the band fell part only to be born again in 20 years time. I personally did not like the film that much as I thought it would rather interest the experts and the fans but I totally loved the music and the vibes from the musicians in it.
website
RATE: 5/10
It is a journey back in time when the group Radio Birdman was born and the band was formed. The film is about the musicians struggles to find their way in the industry and to establish their own venue as well as their records studio. After years being and touring together the band fell part only to be born again in 20 years time. I personally did not like the film that much as I thought it would rather interest the experts and the fans but I totally loved the music and the vibes from the musicians in it.
THE BEGUILED
website
RATE: 6.5/10
The word BEGUILED means bewitched. No, we were not when we left the movie. Was it far away from our expectations of the next Sofia's masterpiece. I only have one rule now: no expectations at all. Not beguiled, not charmed, not bewitched.
But enough harshness for the start. Let's do it the Australian way.
Will say - what was amazing first and what really hypnotised and seduced in the film:
~ enchanting photography and scenery.They were all created very artistically
~ the cast of course was a 5 out of 5 stars if not to say 6!
~ if you would like to take a full advantage of the film please come with "tolerance" in your backpack and instead of understanding try to observe and meditate on each part of it
~ time of the North-South Civil War in America was captured absolutely precisely and very well
~ we only hope that Sofia's next movie will be 180 degrees better than this one
~ interesting body language that in silence says it all
~ some good laughs of course: the first evening table scenes and the dress up for the house party was epic!
~ the small girls played all extremely well up to the level of the mature actors
What was not that good:
~ landscapes and mesmerizing photography was quite repeatative
~ although the cast was stellar the actors have not reached their full acting potential and were lost in many episodes due to the poor script and quite weak story line
~ if it was not for the people next to me I would simply sleep through some of the episodes easily - they were insignificant and could be just removed from the picture completely
~ the plot was not live, slow and almost dead; the story line was quite fragile and was only holding on the experience of the major cast which dd not have enough text to give more so to speak. Nicole could do it much better as we know it and what a miss having so many magnificent actors at Sofia's disposal. the movie could be a gen in any average director's hands but to get it from Sofia was almost like a graceful and ignorant slap in the face.
~ the characters development was close to nothing - absent.
~ dull and in some parts very predictable
~ it was quite a surprising experience watching this picture: I did not understand what the movie was trying to teach or to tell me?
~ the relationship between the characters were developing at a very quick pace although we would expect them to move in more details and as we speak of the pace: there were lots of very slow not related to the main story line episodes that could have been removed without damaging anything: on the contrary it would make the picture to be edited with much more love and care.
~ despite my rate of 6 out of 10 my view is below average close to negative and I would rather give it less but only was trying to save Coppola's name which I value very high. But I would rather remain indifferent than very negative towards this name.
The film which from the first glance looks like a feminist call against all men is quite different IMHO in its relation to sexes: no men nor women are shown in it in a very good or positive light. Men (or a man should I say) is morally absent, hot tempered and unreliable to say the least, whether women are vengeful, cruel and senseless. But it does not matter who is shown how - what matters is there is not even one positive character in it - perhaps the mushrooms are but they have to cooked properly too (just kidding).
One last but quite interesting note: the mushrooms that helped the young girl to accidentally find a wounded soldier in the Virginian forest and killed him at the end (or should not I tell everyone the film finale?) One more? The girl who saved the soldier's life at the start was actually the one who killed him. { note : the above two are not my own observations - I was granted a permission to publish them ; they were my friend's notes] Should we be afraid of those who are involved with us as this is just one step to hatred. Should we just remain feeling-less and be like the nature in this film: tranquil and silent? As expressions usually expect the cont-expressions... (?) Just a thought...
website
RATE: 6.5/10
The word BEGUILED means bewitched. No, we were not when we left the movie. Was it far away from our expectations of the next Sofia's masterpiece. I only have one rule now: no expectations at all. Not beguiled, not charmed, not bewitched.
But enough harshness for the start. Let's do it the Australian way.
Will say - what was amazing first and what really hypnotised and seduced in the film:
~ enchanting photography and scenery.They were all created very artistically
~ the cast of course was a 5 out of 5 stars if not to say 6!
~ if you would like to take a full advantage of the film please come with "tolerance" in your backpack and instead of understanding try to observe and meditate on each part of it
~ time of the North-South Civil War in America was captured absolutely precisely and very well
~ we only hope that Sofia's next movie will be 180 degrees better than this one
~ interesting body language that in silence says it all
~ some good laughs of course: the first evening table scenes and the dress up for the house party was epic!
~ the small girls played all extremely well up to the level of the mature actors
What was not that good:
~ landscapes and mesmerizing photography was quite repeatative
~ although the cast was stellar the actors have not reached their full acting potential and were lost in many episodes due to the poor script and quite weak story line
~ if it was not for the people next to me I would simply sleep through some of the episodes easily - they were insignificant and could be just removed from the picture completely
~ the plot was not live, slow and almost dead; the story line was quite fragile and was only holding on the experience of the major cast which dd not have enough text to give more so to speak. Nicole could do it much better as we know it and what a miss having so many magnificent actors at Sofia's disposal. the movie could be a gen in any average director's hands but to get it from Sofia was almost like a graceful and ignorant slap in the face.
~ the characters development was close to nothing - absent.
~ dull and in some parts very predictable
~ it was quite a surprising experience watching this picture: I did not understand what the movie was trying to teach or to tell me?
~ the relationship between the characters were developing at a very quick pace although we would expect them to move in more details and as we speak of the pace: there were lots of very slow not related to the main story line episodes that could have been removed without damaging anything: on the contrary it would make the picture to be edited with much more love and care.
~ despite my rate of 6 out of 10 my view is below average close to negative and I would rather give it less but only was trying to save Coppola's name which I value very high. But I would rather remain indifferent than very negative towards this name.
The film which from the first glance looks like a feminist call against all men is quite different IMHO in its relation to sexes: no men nor women are shown in it in a very good or positive light. Men (or a man should I say) is morally absent, hot tempered and unreliable to say the least, whether women are vengeful, cruel and senseless. But it does not matter who is shown how - what matters is there is not even one positive character in it - perhaps the mushrooms are but they have to cooked properly too (just kidding).
One last but quite interesting note: the mushrooms that helped the young girl to accidentally find a wounded soldier in the Virginian forest and killed him at the end (or should not I tell everyone the film finale?) One more? The girl who saved the soldier's life at the start was actually the one who killed him. { note : the above two are not my own observations - I was granted a permission to publish them ; they were my friend's notes] Should we be afraid of those who are involved with us as this is just one step to hatred. Should we just remain feeling-less and be like the nature in this film: tranquil and silent? As expressions usually expect the cont-expressions... (?) Just a thought...
BABY DRIVER PAY ATTENTION TO THIS FILM
website
RATE: 9/5/10
He drives the boss' crew to the crime scenes and artistically and gracefully drives them away when the job s done. This is his job. His last job is coming - just to pay his debt to the boss and he is so close to start his new life clean from scratch but it seems it is not that easy to finish what you have already started: the criminal life does not vanish from your diary that easy. There are threats, there are money and there is no way out - this s what it seems like. There are things that are dare in Baby's life, there are things that he is ready to let go... but they are all so interconnected now it will be very hard to work on them and turn life in the shape he wants it to see - how will that work?
Baby Driver is not one of your ordinary "action" film. It is intelligent, it is wild in every episode, it is the one to remember and it is very well done. Perhaps I have seen not many car chases but in this particular picture the chases are so artistically done you will sit in trance for the duration of the movie. Add to this: the most incredible soundtrack with many new and cool music pieces you will discover, an unbelievably good actors' performance plus a good story with a touch of romance and it raises up to your to your best DVD shelves as a "picture-perfect" and "I-would-watch-you-again-baby" rate.
I would highly recommend to watch it on the big screen though to add to your emotions.
Actors are all amazing but I would personally highlight the performance of Ansel Elgort and Kevin Spacey , where Ansel Elgort tops the list.
website
RATE: 9/5/10
He drives the boss' crew to the crime scenes and artistically and gracefully drives them away when the job s done. This is his job. His last job is coming - just to pay his debt to the boss and he is so close to start his new life clean from scratch but it seems it is not that easy to finish what you have already started: the criminal life does not vanish from your diary that easy. There are threats, there are money and there is no way out - this s what it seems like. There are things that are dare in Baby's life, there are things that he is ready to let go... but they are all so interconnected now it will be very hard to work on them and turn life in the shape he wants it to see - how will that work?
Baby Driver is not one of your ordinary "action" film. It is intelligent, it is wild in every episode, it is the one to remember and it is very well done. Perhaps I have seen not many car chases but in this particular picture the chases are so artistically done you will sit in trance for the duration of the movie. Add to this: the most incredible soundtrack with many new and cool music pieces you will discover, an unbelievably good actors' performance plus a good story with a touch of romance and it raises up to your to your best DVD shelves as a "picture-perfect" and "I-would-watch-you-again-baby" rate.
I would highly recommend to watch it on the big screen though to add to your emotions.
Actors are all amazing but I would personally highlight the performance of Ansel Elgort and Kevin Spacey , where Ansel Elgort tops the list.
happen to watch this media screening of Baby Driver today in the morning at Cinema Nova with our gorgeous fashion designer Deborah Selleck at Deborah Selleck Bridal & Evening Couture - the film was an absolute blast! action plus sense - in good balance!
giving it 9.5/10 the picture has the best-esr car chases and the best in the world soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch…
to our all movie long fun - it had one of the characters called Debora (played by Lily James) - hope that made Debby's day too :) the soundtrack has the song about Debora https://www.youtube.com/watch… :) but to add to the fun they also had one of the Queen's songs on, no not the BR.
Bohemian Rhapsody Club and Online Magazine
giving it 9.5/10 the picture has the best-esr car chases and the best in the world soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch…
to our all movie long fun - it had one of the characters called Debora (played by Lily James) - hope that made Debby's day too :) the soundtrack has the song about Debora https://www.youtube.com/watch… :) but to add to the fun they also had one of the Queen's songs on, no not the BR.
Bohemian Rhapsody Club and Online Magazine
photos from the opening night:
at the Palace Cinema Como / Palace Cinemas presenting Scandinavian Film Festival media launch and screening with our VIP photographer who forgot his camera... so my photos are not that good (anyone who was drunk over there could take better snap!) but the company was cheerful indeed! drinks, snacks Norwegian style, ABBA on the background, dancing girls and fantastic movie after... thank you #AshaHolmesPublicity for the invite! ~ my review is coming up shortly.
at the Palace Cinema Como / Palace Cinemas presenting Scandinavian Film Festival media launch and screening with our VIP photographer who forgot his camera... so my photos are not that good (anyone who was drunk over there could take better snap!) but the company was cheerful indeed! drinks, snacks Norwegian style, ABBA on the background, dancing girls and fantastic movie after... thank you #AshaHolmesPublicity for the invite! ~ my review is coming up shortly.
